LUCKNOW, Dec. 18 -- Among several applicants, five were understood to have made it to the interview round for selection to the Lucknow University vice chancellor's post, which fell vacant after Prof Alok Kumar Rai was appointed director at Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta in July this year.

They include the familiar faces whose names have been in circulation for the post for some time. No new names were shortlisted and interviewed by the Raj Bhavan-constituted screening committee, according to people familiar with the matter.

The announcement is delayed because governor and chancellor Anandiben Patel is out of town and it is now expected to be made later this month, officials said.

"The governor is on way to Lucknow from Udaipur...