The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public notice clarifying its regulations on minimum qualifications and the appointment of teachers. The notice talks about Ph.D. weightage, mandatory exams for professors, standardized criteria, state government recruitment, eligibility for assistant professor positions, and weightage during recruitment.
Summary
- The UGC clarifies its regulations on minimum qualifications and appointment of teachers.
- The notice emphasizes the need to correct the Academic Performance Indicator (API) criteria, which currently gives more weightage to Ph.D. holders.
- Some people worry because professors are not required to take exams like the National Eligibility Test (NET), even though students have to pass exams like NEET/JEE to study.
- The UGC acknowledges that Ph.D. and NET qualifications are becoming less important and highlights the need for centralized criteria to employ quality individuals in the education system.
- The notice asks state governments to do regular and proper recruitment. For example, in Maharashtra, recruitment has not happened for the past five years.
- The eligibility of Ph.D. holders for assistant professor positions without clearing the SET/NET/SLET examinations is questioned.
- The issue of weightage during recruitment is raised, specifically regarding the advantage given to Ph.D. holders.
Elaboration
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a public notice addressing various concerns related to the minimum qualifications and appointment of teachers in India. The notice emphasizes the need to revise the Academic Performance Indicator (API) criteria, which currently gives more weightage to Ph.D. holders. It suggests that the weightage system should be corrected to avoid candidates pursuing Ph.D. solely for the purpose of obtaining higher weightage.
The notice also mentions that professors don’t have to take mandatory exams like students do (NEET/JEE) to continue their studies.The notice points out that candidates who clear the National Eligibility Test (NET) have the potential to complete a better Ph.D. within 3-5 years, while a Ph.D. holder may struggle to clear NET without subject knowledge. The UGC acknowledges that both NET and Ph.D. Qualifications are becoming less important and calls for the implementation of centralized criteria to ensure the employment of quality individuals in the education system.
The public notice also highlights the importance of regular and proper recruitment processes conducted by state governments. In Maharashtra, recruitment was stopped for five years, and now only 20-30% of vacant posts are being filled. The UGC urges state governments to address this issue and conduct recruitment processes efficiently.
The notice also raises questions about the eligibility of Ph.D. holders for assistant professor positions without having to clear the SET/NET/SLET examinations. It seeks clarification on whether completing a Ph.D. This would make candidates automatically eligible for such positions.
Furthermore, the issue of weightage during recruitment is brought up, specifically addressing the advantage given to Ph.D. holders. The notice inquires about potential changes in the weightage system and whether it will be revised to provide equal opportunities to all candidates.
The public notice addresses concerns about qualifications, exams for professors, criteria, government recruitment processes, eligibility for assistant professor positions, and weightage system during recruitment.It emphasizes the need for improvements and urges the authorities to take appropriate measures to ensure a fair and quality-oriented education system.
