Appointment as Registrar, NDU Gangtok, Sikkim

Following months of speculation regarding his departure, Mr. Karan Latayan is reportedly set to join Nirmala Devi University (NDU) in Gangtok, Sikkim, as its Registrar, working alongside Founding Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Sreejith S.G. On Monday, August 17, 2026, JGU Founding Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar announced formal administrative leadership transitions. Effective Tuesday, September 1, 2026, Prof. (Dr.) Gaganpreet Singh will assume the role of Controller of Examinations, while Prof. (Dr.) Meenakshi Tomar will take over as Chief Proctor.

Administrative Transitions and Institutional Debates

Mr. Latayan’s tenure at O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) has drawn varied perspectives within the academic community. Sources close to the administration note that internal discussions had previously arisen regarding examination protocols during the transition to remote, online formats, a policy introduced to advance institutional sustainability objectives. While certain administrative circles discussed the implications of remote testing frameworks on academic integrity and evaluation standards, associates close to Mr. Latayan indicate that he had previously sought to step down from his role as Controller of Examinations, though those resignation requests were not accepted at the time by the leadership. Additionally, reports suggest professional disagreements emerged over time among select faculty members regarding governance and policy stances, including public discourse surrounding legislative developments such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (which Mr. Latayan had previously criticised on facebook and instagram). Confidential communications regarding the Proctor’s Office operations were reportedly shared with university leadership during this period.

Academic Legacy

Despite the complexities surrounding his administrative portfolio, Mr. Latayan remains widely respected by the student body for his pedagogical contributions. Students and alumni consistently praise his academic rigor and instructional excellence in Corporate Law and Competition Law, highlighting his strong impact inside the classroom.

The irony of administration's ill-fated direction for KL to step down emerges from their ill-informed decision to reverse his rejection at the job interview led by DJ, SS and PB. If not for the warm crocodile tears of Uncle Mukherjee's cigarette-break partner and his RW pull, KL would have never made it into Sonipat. Man was doing great at Amarchand. What is also tragic is that a great associate and an exceptional ex-Law Clerk was deprived of setting up a dominant Competition Law practice (partnership potential) and of an opportunity to become a well-known Merger Control scholar by forcing him into the quicksands of administration: be it scholarship, moot courts, academic affairs, exchange programmes to heavy-lifting at proctors, security, secret affairs and exams. His administrative tenure is controversial indeed. However, he is by no means a bad ex-corporate law firm associate or a bad teacher: rather those were areas he was supposed to shine and excel. Now, the rattraps and quicksands of administration imprison him. Ironically, KL was also far efficient than the Portfolio Deans and their forthcoming Associate Dean/Associate Proctor picks who succeed him! CRK's formula of use and throw (or if you are unhappy, then leave) needs to change. SK is far more accomplished as an administrator and term-limits to such important positions are important to incorporate as permanent policy.

There needs to be a humane aspect to being a controller of exams, specially in an environment where this position holds all the power. It is critical to allow more exemptions to students facing verified medical issues and to not curse a student's year or placement status due to reasonable issues.

I went to Nalsar and am currently doing fairly well at a T1 law firm - and it is possible that I may not even have graduated if not for medical exemptions that were granted by my university. However, I do know of two people who were not given similar exemptions under the erstwhile Controller of Exams at JGLS. This made their professional lives much more complicated and they had to put up with a host of issues for years. I have to wonder if their lives would've been far more different had they been treated in a more humane fashion.

I'm not attributing this to Mr. Latyan, though a number of people would blame the deciding authority as opposed to the process. But on a systemic level, I hope the university takes this departure and the subsequent transition as an opportunity to revisit some of these absurd policies that currently exist in the name of this 'academic rigour' which he is proud of.