Students at Jagannath University staged a protest march on Monday, August 10, demanding that the NTRCA’s central recommendation system for teacher recruitment in private educational institutions be retained. The protesters opposed a proposed decision to shift recruitment to committees. The march began from the university’s open library premises in the afternoon.

Students from different departments, registered job seekers and people seeking transparency in teacher recruitment joined the demonstration. The procession moved through different parts of the campus, passed the main gate and headed toward Johnson Road. Participants chanted slogans demanding recognition of merit, retention of NTRCA and an end to nepotism in teacher recruitment.

Protesters said NTRCA has long recommended teacher appointments on the basis of merit, qualifications and examinations. They argued that returning the process to managing committees or governing bodies could undermine transparency and accountability, while creating opportunities for irregularities, lobbying and bias. The gathering called for merit-based recruitment and consideration of students’ and job seekers’ concerns, warning of broader programmes if their demands are not met.