Shimla, Sept. 2 -- The Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed the Himachal Pradesh State Universities (Amendment) Bill, 2026 by voice vote amid strong opposition from BJP legislators and protests by university teachers against the proposed changes in the recruitment system.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while defending the legislation, said the amendment was aimed at ensuring transparency and merit-based recruitment in state universities and preventing political interference and recommendations in appointments.

"The government has changed the recruitment system in universities to ensure appointments are made transparently on merit, ending the scope for political interference and recommendations," Sukhu said.

Under the a...