The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced groundbreaking changes to faculty recruitment norms, eliminating the National Eligibility Test (NET) as a mandatory qualification for Assistant Professor positions in universities and colleges. The draft guidelines, unveiled by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on January 6, 2025, mark a significant shift in higher education recruitment policies.
Key Changes in New Guidelines
- NET Qualification Optional
- Candidates can now apply for Assistant Professor positions without NET certification
- Universities granted more flexibility in faculty selection
- PhD qualifications and other criteria to be considered for appointments
- Multidisciplinary Approach
- Candidates allowed to teach subjects different from their graduation degree
- NET/SET qualification in any subject enables teaching eligibility
- Enhanced flexibility for interdisciplinary teaching roles
- Career Progression Requirements
- PhD remains mandatory for promotions to associate professor and professor positions
- Academic Performance Indicator (API) system discontinued
- New holistic assessment criteria introduced
The revised evaluation system will focus on:
- Innovation in teaching
- Technology development
- Entrepreneurship initiatives
- Book writing
- Digital learning resources
- Community contributions
- Promotion of Indian languages
- Knowledge systems
- Sustainability practices
- Supervision of internships and startups
According to UGC Chief Jagadesh Kumar, these reforms align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to remove rigidity from faculty appointments and promote multidisciplinary education. The new guidelines replace the 2018 regulations, which mandated NET qualification for entry-level teaching positions.
Academicians have welcomed these changes as progressive steps toward strengthening higher education, emphasizing the shift from rigid qualifications to valuing broader academic contributions and practical expertise.
These draft norms reflect a significant transformation in India’s higher education landscape, prioritizing flexibility, innovation, and comprehensive assessment of academic capabilities over standardized testing requirements.
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