The search for the new head of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has entered its final lap with the search-cum-selection committee inviting nearly 15 candidates — comprising JNU professors and incumbent vice chancellors of different institutions — for a personal interaction at the end of this month. JNU Vice-Chancellor (V-C), noted scientist Professor Sudhir Kumar Sopory, completes his term in January 2016. The applicants shortlisted to succeed him include the current chairperson of IIAS in Shimla, Chandrakala Padia, V-C of Bilaspur University Gauri Dutt Sharma and Rama Shankar Dubey, who heads the Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University in Bihar. IIM-Ahmedabad professor Anil Kumar Gupta, Padma Shri Virender Singh Chauhan, who is a leading researcher in malaria and Yogesh Kumar Tyagi, dean of the law faculty at South Asian University, are also in the race, confirmed a source in the selection committee. Five professors from within the JNU fraternity have also been invited for the interview on December 30, said applicants who did not wish to be identified. Former dean of students Vinod Kumar Jain, Uttam K Pati and Rakesh Bhatnagar, both from the School of Biotechnology, R N K Bamezai, a professor of human genetics attached with the School of Life Sciences and Ramakrishna Ramaswamy from the School of Physical Sciences are on the shortlist. Interestingly, both Tyagi and Bamezai are also among the frontrunners for another coveted post, vice chancellorship of Delhi University. The search-cum-selection committee of JNU is headed by Dhirendra Pal Singh, former V-C of Banaras Hindu University and the current director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The two others on the search-cum-selection committee are former Indian Space Research Organisation chief K Radhakrishnan and former diplomat Ashok Sen. When contacted, Singh confirmed that the final interaction is scheduled to be held at the end of this month but did not wish to comment on the shortlisted candidates. “I can’t disclose the names,” he said. Based on the interaction, the committee will recommend a final panel of three or four names to the Human Resource Development Ministry, of which one will be appointed the new vice-chancellor of the university.