UGC Introduces Childcare Leave for Women Professors in New Regulations

UGC Introduces Childcare Leave for Women Professors in New Regulations

UGC: महिला प्रोफेसर बच्चे की देखभाल के लिए दो साल तक ले सकती हैं छुट्टी; यूजीसी का अहम निर्देश

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has incorporated a significant provision in its UGC Regulation 2025, granting women professors the right to take up to two years of childcare leave. This policy ensures that higher education institutions cannot deny this leave, making it a mandatory entitlement.

Mandatory Childcare Leave for Women Professors

The UGC has clarified that the provision of childcare leave falls under the domain of women professors' rights. Previously, many female faculty members faced challenges in availing this leave, prompting complaints to the authorities. Taking note of these difficulties, the UGC has enshrined this right in the new regulations.

महिला प्रोफेसरों के लिए अनिवार्य चाइल्डकैअर अवकाश

महिला प्रोफेसर अब बच्चे की देखभाल के लिए दो साल तक चाइल्ड केयर के नाम पर छुट्टी ले सकती हैं। उच्च शिक्षण संस्थान छुट्टी देने में आनाकानी नहीं कर सकेंगे।

विश्वविद्यालय अनुदान आयोग (यूजीसी) ने चाइल्ड केयर के प्रावधान को यूजीसी रेग्यूलेशन 2025 में शामिल किया है। यदि कोई उच्च शिक्षण संस्थान नियम का पालन नहीं करता है तो डीबार भी हो सकता है। वरिष्ठ अधिकारी के मुताबिक, कई बार महिला प्रोफेसर इस मुद्दे पर शिकायत करती थीं, जबकि यह उनके अधिकार क्षेत्र में आता है। इन्हीं दिक्कतों को देखते हुए यूजीसी ने इसे नए नियमों में शामिल किया है।

Strict Action for Non-Compliance

The regulations include clear directives for institutions to comply with the childcare leave policy. If any higher education institution violates these rules, UGC reserves the right to take stringent action. Penalties include a ban on admissions to specific degree programs, financial penalties, withdrawal of course recognition, and even debarring the institution.

UGC Bars Three Universities from Offering PhD Programs

In a related development, UGC has prohibited three universities in Rajasthan from starting PhD programs for the next five years. The affected institutions—OPJS University (Churu), Sunrise University (Alwar), and Singhania University (Jhunjhunu)—were found compromising the integrity of their degrees.

UGC NET Admit Cards Released for Remaining Exams

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has released updated admit cards for the last two UGC NET December 2024 cycle exams, scheduled for January 21 and January 27, 2025. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website ugcnet.nta.ac.in.

Postponement of January 15 Exam

UGC NET exams scheduled for January 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16 were disrupted due to the festival season. Specifically, the January 15 exam was postponed after representations highlighted overlapping dates with Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and other regional festivals. The official notification regarding this postponement was issued on January 13, 2025.

These updates mark significant strides in UGC's effort to streamline higher education governance and prioritize inclusivity and academic integrity.