Mumbai: In a letter to the state govt and the Mumbai University, the Council of Architecture (CoA) has warned that it may consider withdrawing its approval for the architecture programme at Sir J J School of Architecture due to persistent violations of its regulations. The statutory body highlighted a long-standing history of non-compliance by the institute, despite repeated written assurances and legal undertakings to fill vacant teaching positions. The council has requested state authorities to direct the institute to take remedial action.According to the council, the institute and Mumbai University authorities have failed to take corrective measures despite submitting nine undertakings since 2018. The council pointed out that the institution had, on multiple occasions, affirmed through these undertakings that the requisite cadre-wise faculty would be appointed and maintained at all times in accordance with CoA norms. The first such undertaking was submitted on June 20, 2018, while the most recent ones were given in July and Aug last year.
A state govt official, though, said recruitment in the state had been frozen since 2018, which delayed the process. Even after the freeze was lifted, administrative delays occurred following the issuance of new guidelines, he said. The guidelines faced opposition from the teaching community on two occasions, after which a fresh govt resolution was issued last week. The state has also approved the filling of 5,012 teaching posts. The official added the recruitment process will now begin, and these teaching positions are expected to be filled before the start of the next academic session. Sources claimed that over 10 teaching posts are lying vacant at the institute. The council’s letter stated Sir J J School of Architecture had applied for an extension of approval for the 2025-26 academic session to offer the B Arch programme. Based on the assessment report of its inspection committee, the council observed deficiencies in the institute’s physical and academic infrastructure and issued a showcause notice to them. At that time, the institute informed the council that advertisements had been issued for the recruitment of professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, and that the recruitment process was expected to be completed by Oct 2025.In Aug, the university, in a letter, stated the recruitment process was underway and would be concluded within three months. The university also assured the council that adequate budgetary provisions would be made to upgrade infrastructure, including the computer laboratory. Based on these undertakings, from the institute and the university, the council granted conditional approval to the institution for 2025-26. However, the council noted it has not yet received any substantive compliance report. The council has now urged the govt to direct the institute to remove the deficiencies, failing which it will have no option but to consider withdrawal of approval from the next academic session.In another letter, following a Supreme Court directive from Jan 15 to improve efficiency and address rising concerns of mental health among students, the CoA had asked all architectural institutions to fill their vacant posts within four months.
