NPU Degree Printing Row: Rs 37 Lakh Work Allegedly Awarded Without Tender, VC Faces Questions

A controversy has surfaced at Nilamber-Pitamber University (NPU), Palamu, over the printing of students’ degree certificates. The university administration is alleged to have awarded a contract worth around Rs 37 lakh to a printing company in Uttar Pradesh without following the prescribed tender process.

In addition to the printing cost, the printer reportedly charged around Rs 1.20 lakh as rent. The allegations have raised questions over the university's procurement procedures and the role of Vice-Chancellor Dinesh Singh in approving the work.

According to the allegations, the printing assignment was awarded to the Uttar Pradesh-based company on a nomination basis through the examination controller and his Officer on Special Duty (OSD), instead of being processed through an open tender.

Offer letter allegedly routed through OSD

According to information available in the matter, the Uttar Pradesh printing company had initially sent an offer letter addressed to Examination Controller Ajit Seth, with a copy marked to the Vice-Chancellor. However, the offer was reportedly not placed before the Vice-Chancellor for approval by the examination controller.

The same offer was subsequently sent by the Vice-Chancellor to Examination Controller's OSD, Gaurav Kumar, for approval. It is alleged that a file was then prepared on the basis of the offer letter and the printing work was allotted to the company without inviting an open tender.

Questions over agreement on plain paper

The manner in which the agreement was executed has also come under scrutiny. The university is alleged to have entered into an agreement with the printer on plain paper after awarding the work.

Since government and university procurement rules generally prescribe a formal procedure for executing contracts, questions have been raised over the validity and procedural compliance of such an agreement.

The printer subsequently supplied degree certificates reportedly worth around Rs 37 lakh. The university administration is now said to be processing the payment for the work.

Timeline of the decision raises questions

The sequence of events has further added to the controversy. NPU held its third convocation on October 6, 2025, while the Examination Board discussed degree printing at its meeting on November 19, 2025.

However, according to the information available, an agreement with the printer had already been executed on August 13. This has raised questions over the timing of the contract and whether the required statutory process was completed before the work was assigned.

Alleged bypassing of statutory committees

Unlike question-paper printing, which is treated as a confidential activity, degree printing does not ordinarily require the same level of secrecy. Allegations have therefore been raised that the university should have obtained approval from the Cell-Purchase Committee, Finance Committee and other relevant statutory bodies before inviting tenders and selecting a printer.

Instead, the work was allegedly assigned directly to the Uttar Pradesh company through nomination, bypassing the open tender process.

Audit process also under scrutiny

Another allegation concerns the university's ongoing special audit. It is claimed that the file related to the degree-printing work was not made available to the special audit team.

If confirmed, the issue could raise additional concerns about transparency and record-keeping in the university's financial and administrative decisions.

The roles of Examination Controller Ajit Seth and OSD Gaurav Kumar have also come under scrutiny in connection with the process. Allegations suggest that the two officials facilitated the procedure through which the printing assignment was taken forward.

Questions over examination controller's appointment

Questions have also been raised over the appointment of Ajit Seth as examination controller. Allegations claim that he was appointed without the Governor's approval, while the examination controller who had earlier been appointed with the Governor's consent was removed before completing the term.

The allegations surrounding the appointment have added another layer to the controversy over the degree-printing contract and the university's administrative functioning.

At this stage, the allegations require verification through official records, including the relevant files, approvals, committee proceedings, agreement documents and payment records. A detailed examination of these documents would establish whether the university followed the prescribed procurement and financial procedures while awarding the Rs 37 lakh degree-printing work.