The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced draft guidelines for higher education institutions, allowing candidates to apply for Assistant Professor positions without necessarily qualifying for the National Eligibility Test (NET). Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the draft guidelines, inviting public feedback until February 5, 2025, before they are finalized for implementation.
The new rules, outlined under the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, aim to create a more inclusive, flexible, and multidisciplinary approach to faculty recruitment and leadership roles in higher education.
Glad to inaugurate ‘Pushpagiri’, the new auditorium of @ugc_india. Also, delighted to release Draft UGC Regulations, 2025, for appointment and promotion of teachers and academic staff in universities and colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education. pic.twitter.com/RSlHMASccV
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 6, 2025
Key Changes in Recruitment Guidelines
NET No Longer Mandatory for Assistant Professors with PhDs
Candidates with a PhD will be eligible to apply for Assistant Professor roles without needing to qualify for NET. This change seeks to attract a broader pool of qualified candidates and reduce barriers to entry in academia.
Eligibility for Engineering and Technology Postgraduates
Candidates holding an ME or MTech degree with at least 55% marks will also be exempt from qualifying NET, enabling smoother recruitment of engineering and technology graduates into academic positions.
PhD Across Disciplines
The draft guidelines allow individuals with a PhD in one subject to teach their specialized area, even if their undergraduate or postgraduate degrees are in different fields. For instance, a PhD in chemistry combined with a bachelor’s in mathematics and a master’s in physics would qualify the candidate to teach chemistry.
Expanded Vice Chancellor Eligibility
In a significant shift, teaching experience is no longer mandatory for Vice Chancellor (VC) positions. The draft guidelines open VC eligibility to professionals with at least 10 years of senior-level experience in fields such as industry, public administration, or public policy, provided they demonstrate significant academic contributions.
The selection process for Vice Chancellors will involve a three-member panel, representing the Visitor/Chancellor, UGC, and the university’s apex body. Additionally, members of a university’s apex body must now recuse themselves from the selection process to prevent conflicts of interest.
New Framework for Promotions
The Academic Performance Indicator (API) system will be replaced by a more qualitative assessment approach. Faculty promotions will be based on contributions in areas such as:
- Publishing research in peer-reviewed journals.
- Developing innovative teaching methods and digital learning content.
- Securing research grants.
Candidates aspiring to become associate professors must meet specific criteria, such as publishing eight research papers, a book or book chapters, or holding patents.
Special Recruitment for Arts, Sports, and Indian Knowledge Systems
The UGC recognizes the need to value expertise in non-traditional disciplines. New pathways will facilitate the recruitment of accomplished professionals in fields like yoga, performing arts, traditional Indian art forms, and sports, based on their achievements at national or international levels.
Flexibility in NET Subjects
Candidates can now qualify for NET in a subject different from their postgraduate discipline, further broadening eligibility and promoting interdisciplinary expertise in teaching.
Transforming Leadership and Faculty Roles
Industry Professionals in Leadership
For the first time, experienced professionals from non-academic backgrounds will be eligible for leadership roles in universities, including Vice Chancellor positions. This change is expected to bring fresh perspectives and foster innovation in higher education leadership.
Inclusion of Indian Languages
The draft encourages candidates with undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD degrees in Indian languages, promoting the use of regional languages in academia.
Reforms Aligned with NEP 2020
The proposed guidelines align closely with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes innovation, inclusivity, and the adoption of multidisciplinary approaches in education.
Union Education Minister’s Perspective
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the guidelines as transformative, stating, “These reforms empower teachers and academic staff, strengthen academic standards, and pave the way for excellence in higher education.”
The Ajit Ranade Case: A Precursor to Change
In 2024, Ajit Ranade, Vice Chancellor of Pune’s Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (GIPE), faced removal due to insufficient teaching and academic research experience. The Bombay High Court later reinstated him, citing his professional expertise. Despite the reinstatement, Ranade resigned in November 2024. This case highlighted the need for flexible eligibility criteria for leadership positions in academia, which the new guidelines address.
Next Steps and Feedback
The draft guidelines are open for feedback from stakeholders until February 5, 2025. Institutions will need to comply with the finalized regulations within six months of their notification.
By embracing these reforms, the UGC aims to modernize higher education, encouraging diverse expertise and fostering academic excellence while ensuring flexibility and inclusivity in faculty recruitment and leadership appointments.
