Ahmedabad: The post of principal remains vacant in govt diploma and degree engineering colleges across the state, with only one diploma college expected to have a permanent principal after three days and the rest to be led by principals in charge.AICTE rules mandate adequate staff, including a principal, for approval of new colleges. However, govt institutions have not faced strict action despite the absence of full-time principals and staff shortages. Of the state’s 31 govt diploma engineering colleges (polytechnics), only two currently have full-time principals. One is set to retire within three days, leaving just one college with a full-time principal. In govt degree engineering colleges, eight of 16 have permanent principals, while the remaining eight function without one. With one principal seeking voluntary retirement, the number is expected to drop to seven within three days. Sources said the promotion process for the post of full-time principal in diploma engineering colleges was initiated earlier but was later put on hold for undisclosed reasons. The delay has left colleges without permanent leadership, affecting academic administration and long-term planning. The situation has raised concerns over governance and compliance with regulatory standards in the state’s technical education system.
