The plan to require a PhD as a minimum qualification for associate professor recruitment has been placed on hold. In 2018, the University Grants Commission established recruitment standards for entry-level positions. Numerous candidates could not complete their PhDs and pleaded with the administration to loosen eligibility restrictions this year.
Key Highlight:
- The plan to require a PhD as a minimum qualification for associate professor recruitment has been placed on hold.
- Postgraduate degree holders who have passed the National Eligibility Test will continue to be considered for employment in the position.
- Many PhD applicants were unable to finish their degrees due to the epidemic and were pleading with the government to reduce eligibility restrictions for the current year.
Postgraduate degree holders who have passed the National Eligibility Test will continue to be considered for employment in the position.
This year, in light of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, the Center has chosen to put on hold its proposal to require a PhD as a minimum requirement for hiring associate professors. University Grants Commission (UGC) criteria for hiring entry-level faculty and staff at universities and colleges were released in 2018. All universities and colleges were urged to begin using the criteria for recruitment in the 2021-22 academic session. Candidates were given a three-year window to complete their PhDs within that time. Many PhD applicants were unable to finish their degrees due to the epidemic and were pleading with the government to reduce eligibility restrictions for the current year.
It was decided by the government this year that assistant professors would not have to have a PhD. As a result, we received a large number of applications from people who wanted to apply for the position but couldn’t do so because of their PhD requirements.
Postgraduate degree holders who have passed the National Eligibility Test will continue to be considered for employment in the position. “A circular on this decision would be released soon by the UGC to all higher education institutions. According to an unnamed official, it will enable schools and institutions to quickly fill all open seats.
Pradhan directed all central institutions in September to fill the 6000+ teaching vacancies by October 31st.
“This will help the ad hoc university instructors whose reappointments were delayed due to this obligatory PhD requirement,” stated Delhi University Teachers’ Association member Abha Dev Habib.
In a meeting with UGC authorities on September 15, DUTA representatives brought up this concern.
Central government has temporarily put on hold the mandatory PhD requirement for the post of assistant professor, Education Minister @dpradhanbjp said. Candidates who have qualified the National Eligibility Test will continue to be eligible to apply for the post. Good decision.
— Sandipan Mitra (@SMitra_) September 30, 2021
