Neha Singh not suspended, told to stay: Galgotias University clarifies amid Robodog controversy

Galgotias University has issued a clear update on the fallout from the so‑called “robodog row” at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, confirming that Professor Neha Singh is not suspended and has been asked to remain with the institution as the matter is investigated.

The incident has drawn widespread attention after the university’s stall at the summit was criticised for showcasing a robotic dog model that was widely identified as a Chinese‑made Unitree Go2, rather than an indigenous innovation claimed to be developed by the university’s own AI research wing.

University responds after Expo controversy

According to Nitin Kumar Gaur, Registrar of Galgotias University, the institution has already submitted an explanation to authorities and acknowledged that “it was a mistake” in the way the showcase was presented. He told ANI that the university decided to vacate its stall at the India AI Impact Summit expo following the backlash, apologised for any embarrassment caused, and will conduct an internal review to understand how the error occurred.

“We never want the image of the university or the country to be ruined,” Gaur said, adding that though the situation was avoidable, the intention was never to mislead anyone. He emphasised that the university remains committed to innovation and ethical representation, and will ensure that no such mistake happens again.

Status of Professor Neha Singh

Amid swirling online speculation - including rumours around her professional status following the summit, the registrar made it clear that Neha Singh has not been suspended. Instead, she has been instructed to stay on as the investigation continues into how the situation unfolded. Gaur stressed that disciplinary proceedings will proceed as necessary, but insisted that one individual’s actions should not define or discredit the entire university

“They are also citizens of India, and we all want our country to move forward,” he added, underscoring that broader institutional values are at stake.

What sparked the controversy

The uproar began after a viral video showed Professor Singh presenting the robotic dog - nicknamed “Orion” - and describing it as a creation of the university’s Centre of Excellence. Social media users quickly pointed out that the robot was in fact a commercial product by China’s Unitree Robotics, widely available and not developed in‑house.

The government‑backed India AI Impact Summit is intended to showcase cutting‑edge artificial intelligence work from across India and the Global South. The incident drew criticism from tech commentators and political voices alike, with some officials emphasising that misrepresentation and misinformation at high‑profile exhibitions must not be tolerated.

University apology and next steps

Galgotias later issued a public apology describing the error as stemming from an “ill‑informed representative” and not from institutional intent to mislead. The university spokeswoman explained that the model was displayed to allow students exposure to advanced robotics tools, not to claim it as original research.

As of now, Galgotias University has committed to a thorough internal inquiry, while stakeholders continue to debate the broader implications of the incident for India’s higher education sector and its role in global AI discourse.

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