Savitribai Phule Pune University sees 25–30% vacant UG/PG seats; PhD admissions drop from 235 to 17.
NIRF ranking falls from 37th to 91st, raising concerns over reputation.
Senate members call for better promotion, placements, and course reforms.
Pune, 29 September 2025: Savitribai Phule Pune University in Pune has been facing a significant decline in student admissions over the past three years. Around 25–30% of undergraduate and postgraduate seats remained vacant, while PhD admissions dropped drastically from 235 in 2021-22 to just 17 in 2024-25.
The university’s performance in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) also fell sharply, sliding from 37th last year to 91st this year. This drop in ranking has raised concerns among senate members about the institution’s reputation and the quality of its programs.
Senate member Dadabhau Shinalkar said the declining rank affects the university’s prestige and stressed that parents are increasingly seeking quality education. “It’s not just about numbers but about the university’s image. If private institutions rank higher, students will prefer them,” he said.
The university attributed the vacant seats to competition from affiliated colleges, private, and deemed universities, as well as late cancellations that could not be filled after admission deadlines.
However, senate member Shantanu Lamdhade rejected this explanation, pointing to poor promotion of courses and weak placement opportunities. According to the university, only 497 students have been placed through university channels in the last five years.
Lamdhade also suggested that several departments with low student interest need restructuring or innovation. He emphasized bringing capable leaders to manage courses instead of overloading existing staff.
The upcoming senate meeting on September 30 is expected to feature intense discussions on these issues, as members push for strategies to restore the university’s academic standing and improve admission rates.
