Major universities in the country have entered the new fiscal year without approved budgets as the government is yet to appoint registrars, leaving institutions dependent on acting officials and restricted interim spending arrangements.

Tribhuvan University, Purbanchal University, Pokhara University, Mid-Western University, Sudurpashchim University, Agriculture and Forestry University and Nepal Sanskrit University are among those with vacant registrar posts. Lumbini Buddhist University and Nepal Open University face wider leadership gaps.

The vacancies followed the government’s May 2 decision to remove senior university officials through an ordinance, in an attempt to replace politically appointed officials and introduce competitive selection. Acting officials were later tasked with keeping institutions functioning.

At Tribhuvan University, the country’s largest, the consequences are particularly serious. Its budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 was due to be approved by the first week of August, but the Senate has yet to meet.

“Anarchy looms because the government has shown no interest in appointing the rector and registrar,” said a TU professor. “The registrar prepares the budget and presents it to the Senate for approval. For now, the university is operating with an advance budget.”

The TU has a regular annual budget of around Rs26 billion. An advance budget can cover administrative expenses, but capital expenditure cannot proceed normally until an approval of the spending plan.

The delay is also affecting students. The Senate normally approves the graduation list along with the annual budget. About 95,000 students who have completed their studies under the TU are waiting to be enlisted for degree awards.

“Students can receive their original certificates only after the graduation list is approved,” the professor said. “Until that happens, certificates cannot be printed. The government has not paid attention to this, and the university is becoming disorganised.”

TU Examination Controller Laxman Paudel said the graduation list had already been prepared but remained pending because the Senate had not met. After approval, students apply to attend the graduation ceremony, allowing the university to print certificates and arrange gowns.

TU spokesperson Nabindra Bhandari said the university was preparing to call the Senate soon to approve the budget and graduation list.

TU Vice-chancellor Bhola Thapa recommended candidates for rector and registrar several weeks ago, according to university and education ministry officials. The names were sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, but appointments have not yet been made. Science and Technology Dean Shankar Khanal is acting rector, while Management Dean Mahananda Chalise has been assigned as acting registrar.

Under university law, the vice-chancellor recommends the rector and registrar and the prime minister, as chancellor, appoints them. The prolonged vacancies have left universities waiting for central decisions on posts essential to financial and administrative functioning.

Pokhara University is experiencing a similar problem. Vice-chancellor Devendra Adhikari said the university could not approve its new budget because the Senate could not be constituted without the registrar and other officials.

“The budget has to be approved by the Senate. The registrar and other members needed for the Senate are still awaiting appointment,” said Adhikari. “The law allows us to spend up to 33 percent of the previous year’s total budget and seek approval later. We are therefore carrying out administrative work under that provision.”

Adhikari said the name for registrar had been finalised but the ministry had not made the appointment.

Purbanchal University is also waiting for its registrar. Vice-chancellor Sujan Babu Marahatta said the recommendation had been made and the university would bring its budget as soon as the appointment was completed.

The education ministry says the process is moving ahead. Diwakar Bhujel, an undersecretary at Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel’s secretariat, said recommendations for registrars had been received from five universities.

“Names have been received for the appointment of registrars. We are studying them and the appointment process is under way,” said Bhujel. The ministry said the process is on to appoint registrars in Tribhuvan, Purbanchal, Pokhara, Mid-Western and Sudurpashchim universities.

Mid-Western University has avoided the immediate budget problem. Vice-chancellor Rajan Suwal said its budget had already been approved by acting officials, but other administrative work was being held up.

“The registrar and deans need to be appointed, but the work is stalled because the registrar has not been appointed from above,” said Suwal. “I do not know why the appointment has not happened.”

Sudurpashchim University Vice-chancellor Kisan Datta Bhatta said the university had sent a name for the registrar and expected an appointment soon. Its budget had already been approved by the previous acting officials, he said.

Agriculture and Forestry University has also approved its budget. Vice-chancellor Rishi Ram Kattel said no formal recommendation had yet been made for the registrar and Prof Subir Singh was continuing as acting registrar.

“The registrar appointment process has not been started and no recommendation has been made,” said Kattel. “The Senate met in June and approved the budget. There is no immediate plan to appoint a registrar; the university is functioning through the acting arrangement.”

Kathmandu University had likewise approved its 2026-27 budget in June when its Senate met for the graduation ceremony. Acting registrar Rajiv Shrestha said the budget was passed at that meeting. Prof Bibek Baral was appointed vice-chancellor in August, while Shrestha was retained as acting registrar until further arrangement.

The May ordinance removed senior officials from 16 universities and several health science academies. The government said it wanted to end political patronage, while academics criticised the move for increasing executive control over universities.

The government has since appointed vice-chancellors at several universities, including Tribhuvan, Purbanchal, Pokhara, Mid-Western, Sudurpashchim and Agriculture and Forestry. Registrar appointments lag.

At Lumbini Buddhist University, the government plans to restart the vice-chancellor selection process after receiving too few applications. At Nepal Open University, the process had stalled because the University Grants Commission chairperson’s post was vacant. The government has since appointed Prof Khadga KC there.