Pune, 26 March 2026: Savitribai Phule Pune University has finally appointed Dr. Manohar Sanap as Registrar, ending a delay of nearly two-and-a-half years. The position had remained vacant since November 2023 after the tenure of former Registrar Dr. Prafull Pawar ended.
In the interim, the responsibilities were handled by acting registrars, including Dr. Vijay Khare, Dr. Jyoti Bhakare, and Charushila Gaikwad.
The university administration has issued an official appointment order but attached certain conditions. Dr. Sanap has been asked to submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from his parent institution along with a relieving letter.
Only after fulfilling these requirements will the appointment be considered valid. He has been given a one-month window to complete the formalities, leaving uncertainty over when he will formally take charge.
Senior university officials have confirmed the issuance of the order, though the administration has not made a detailed public announcement.
The appointment has sparked criticism from several organisations, which allege that the process lacked transparency and was carried out discreetly. Questions have also been raised about the timing, as the appointment letter was reportedly issued just days before the university’s general assembly meeting.
Kalpesh Yadav, State Co-Secretary of Yuva Sena, alleged that the move appears deliberate and could be aimed at shifting focus toward this issue during the assembly. He also claimed there is widespread discussion about possible financial irregularities linked to the appointment.
Former senate member Dhananjay Kulkarni echoed concerns, stating that the conditions attached to the appointment may be difficult to fulfil. According to him, the order gives the impression of approval while practically making the appointment uncertain.
With the appointment now public, debates have intensified within academic and administrative circles. While the university maintains that the process follows standard procedures, critics continue to question both the intent and execution of the decision.
