Archive · 24 Jul 2025
DU History Department Head Resigns, Citing Health Concerns
The head of the History department at Delhi University, Professor Shalini Shah, has quit because of health problems.
This happened right before the new school year starts and as the university changes its programs.
Another professor will temporarily lead the department.
Some people are worried because the university chose someone from a different department to take charge.
There have been arguments about changing what students learn and how students get into the PhD program.
The university says the head’s resignation wasn’t because of these issues and that the decision to appoint the Dean of Social Sciences was made to find a solution quickly.
Professor Shalini Shah, the head of Delhi University's (DU) History Department, resigned, citing medical reasons.
Her resignation comes before the new academic session and DU's fourth year under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
The Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Sanjoy Roy, will temporarily take over the History department.
The History Department has been dealing with syllabus change debates and claims of procedural violations in PhD admissions.
Some faculty members expressed concern over the decision to assign the department's charge to the Dean, rather than a senior history professor.
- Who
- Professor Shalini Shah, faculty of the History Department, and the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Sanjoy Roy.
- What
- Professor Shalini Shah resigned as the head of Delhi University's History Department.
- When
- The resignation occurred shortly before the new academic session.
- Where
- Delhi University (DU).
- Why
- Shah cited medical reasons for her resignation.
Concern over Administrative Decision
Administrative Response
Interim leadership appointment
Concern over Administrative Decision
Faculty members are concerned that the administration's decision to appoint the Dean (Social Sciences) as the interim head, instead of a senior faculty member from the History department, shows a lack of trust and empowerment of the department’s leadership.
Administrative Response
The university's Vice-Chancellor stated the move was due to time constraints and the need to quickly find a temporary solution after the resignation.
- Department
- History Department, Delhi University
- Former Head
- Professor Shalini Shah
- Interim Head
- Professor Sanjoy Roy (Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences)
- Reason for Resignation
- Medical reasons
- Context
- Debate over syllabus changes, implementation of NEP 2020