👩🏫The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that the requirement of a Ph.D. Qualification for the appointment of Assistant Professors will be optional starting from July 1, 2023. NET/SET/SLET will now be the minimum criteria for direct recruitment to the Assistant Professor position in all Higher Education Institutions. UGC’s New Notification: Ph.D. No Longer Mandatory for Assistant Professor Recruitment
Summary
- Ph.D. Qualification for the Assistant Professor position becomes optional from July 1, 2023.
- NET/SET/SLET will be the minimum criteria for direct recruitment to the Assistant Professor post.
- Concerns are raised about the lack of exposure to research for faculty members and its impact on guiding students.
- Some individuals who have completed their Ph.D. but don’t have NET are questioning the suitability of the new criteria.
- Issues of political affiliation, bribery, and personality-based appointments in state universities and colleges are highlighted.
- Inquiries are made regarding the eligibility of Kerala SET for the Assistant Professor position.
- UGC’s previous notification from March 15, 2021, is mentioned, emphasizing the need to attract the best talent in the field of Commerce for teaching.
- The clarification is provided that according to Regulation 2018, a Ph.D. was already optional for Assistant Professor recruitment in colleges, but it was mandatory for higher-level positions.
- The UGC has eliminated the mandatory requirement of a Ph.D. for Assistant Professor recruitment.
- The minimum qualification criteria for direct recruitment to Assistant Professor positions in all higher education institutions will now be NET/SET/SLET.
- The decision was announced by UGC Chairman Professor M. Jagadesh Kumar through a tweet.
- The new rule came into effect on July 1, 2023.
- The University Grants Commission has amended the Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff Regulations 2018.
- NET/SET/SLET qualification will now be the minimum eligibility for Assistant Professor positions in higher education.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made a significant announcement regarding the appointment of Assistant Professors. Starting from July 1, 2023, the requirement of a Ph.D. qualification for this position will be optional. Instead, NET/SET/SLET will be the minimum criteria for direct recruitment to the Assistant Professor post in all Higher Education Institutions. This decision has sparked a range of reactions and concerns.
While some welcome the change, others express their worries about the potential implications. One concern raised is that without the mandatory Ph.D. qualification, faculty members may have limited exposure to research, which could affect their ability to guide students in undergraduate and master’s level research projects.
Additionally, individuals who have completed their Ph.D. but do not possess NET certification question the suitability of the new criteria. They highlight the absence of opportunities to pursue the required NET exam in specific subjects, such as geospatial technology. Furthermore, there are concerns about the availability of suitable vacancies for geospatial technologists, as their field often merges with other departments.
Critics argue that political affiliation, bribery, and personality-based appointments still prevail in state universities and colleges. They propose using state Public Service Commissions or universities for appointments, where personality tests are the main criteria for selection.
Some individuals seek clarification on the eligibility of the Kerala State Eligibility Test (SET) for the Assistant Professor position. They are uncertain about whether this test meets the new criteria set by the UGC.
Stakeholders stress how essential it is to attract top Commerce professionals to teach at universities and colleges.It is suggested that UGC’s new decision should align with this objective.
In response to concerns, it is clarified that according to Regulation 2018, a Ph.D. It was already optional for Assistant Professor recruitment in colleges. However, it remained mandatory for higher-level positions, such as Assistant Professor Selection grade in colleges and Assistant Professor in universities.
The diverse range of reactions to the UGC’s new notification reflects the complexity and various perspectives surrounding the qualifications and criteria for Assistant Professor appointments. The decision has sparked a debate that demands careful consideration and discussion to ensure the best outcomes for higher education institutions and their faculty members.
Is Ph.D. Mandatory for the post of Assistant Professor in Universities and Colleges? What UGC says? Can institutions raise the shortlisting criteria? pic.twitter.com/tZsh98ZQ1c
— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) July 5, 2023
विश्वविद्यालय अनुदान आयोग (यूजीसी) ने असिस्टेंट प्रोफेसर भर्ती के लिए पीएचडी की अनिवार्यता ख़त्म की; 1 जुलाई, 2023 से पीएचडी की योग्यता वैकल्पिक होगी
— डीडी न्यूज़ (@DDNewsHindi) July 5, 2023
सभी उच्च शिक्षा संस्थानों के लिए असिस्टेंट प्रोफेसर के पद पर सीधी भर्ती के लिए NET/SET/SLET ही न्यूनतम मानदंड होंगे… pic.twitter.com/JrzBmyz9mh
Ph.D. qualification for appointment as an #AssistantProfessor would be optional from 1st July 2023. NET/SET/SLET shall be minimum criteria for direct recruitment to post of Assistant Professor for all Higher Education Institutions. pic.twitter.com/P1nI3VtFAb
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 5, 2023
