In an important step to improve the quality of education in higher institutions, the Draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, was launched by Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan at the UGC headquarters today. The draft, approved on December 23, 2024, is now open for feedback from stakeholders across the country.
Speaking to PTI, UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar said, “This draft aim to transform faculty recruitment and promotion in Indian HEIs by enhancing flexibility and inclusivity. Candidates can now qualify for faculty positions based on UGC-NET performance, even if their degrees are in different disciplines, fostering a multi-disciplinary environment aligned with NEP 2020. The emphasis on Indian languages in academic publishing is another key feature."
“The regulations move away from the API-based system, focusing instead on a holistic assessment of candidates’ contributions in areas such as innovative teaching, technology development, and community engagement. Specialised pathways for fields like Yoga, Arts, and Sports recognize professional accomplishments, ensuring diverse talent contributes to academia," Kumar said.
Additionally, regarding the selection process for vice-chancellors, Kumar said, “It has been updated to include professionals from various fields, with clear guidelines on eligibility and committee composition. These changes apply to Central, State, Private, and Deemed Universities."
Recruitment And Promotion Process
The draft aims to make the recruitment and promotion process for academic positions more streamlined and merit-based. Key points include:
Recruitment: Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Professors will be hired through a national advertisement and selected by a committee.
Interdisciplinary Opportunities: Candidates with degrees in different fields at the undergraduate or postgraduate level compared to their Ph.D. or NET/SET can still apply, supporting the growth of interdisciplinary studies.
Promotion of Indian Languages: The draft supports publishing research and educational materials in regional languages, helping to promote Indian languages in higher education.
Qualifications And Experience Requirements
The regulations specify the minimum qualifications and experience needed for different academic roles, ensuring clear and fair selection criteria:
Assistant Professors (Academic Level 10): A postgraduate degree with at least 55% marks, along with a Ph.D. or NET/SET qualification, is required.
Associate Professors (Academic Level 13A): A Ph.D. and eight years of teaching or research experience are needed, with significant research contributions.
Professors (Academic Level 14): Candidates must have at least ten years of experience, including three years as an Associate Professor, along with notable academic achievements and doctoral supervision.
Ph.D. qualifications remain mandatory for certain positions, reflecting the importance of high standards in teaching and research. The time spent on a Ph.D. will not be counted as teaching experience unless done alongside teaching duties, ensuring that required experience is practical and thorough.
These regulations aim to raise the standards of higher education in India by recognizing and rewarding academic excellence and innovation. Stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback to help refine these guidelines further.
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