Innovative Higher Education: UGC's Revised Guidelines Foster Flexibility and Inclusivity

UGC Introduces Multidisciplinary Eligibility, PhD-Based Recruitment for Assistant Professors

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has revised the eligibility criteria for Assistant Professor recruitment, removing the mandatory requirement of clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) for both appointments and promotions. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced these changes on January 6, 2025, aiming to make faculty recruitment and promotions more flexible and inclusive.

The revised draft norms align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will remove the rigidity in faculty recruitment. They allow universities to hire staff from diverse multidisciplinary backgrounds, promoting a more inclusive and dynamic academic environment with greater flexibility in selecting candidates based on expertise and qualifications. At the UGC event in Delhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the draft reforms would bring innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism to higher education. Academicians have called these revised regulations 'progressive' steps to strengthen the system. Kumar stated that the new regulations promote hiring faculty from multidisciplinary backgrounds and aim to broaden opportunities, offering greater freedom and flexibility. He emphasized that the revised guidelines value contributions to knowledge and the community over rigid qualifications, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic academic environment.

The new faculty recruitment norms replaced the 2018 regulations, which required NET clearance for entry-level Assistant Professor positions. UGC Chief Jagadesh Kumar highlighted that the revised guidelines allow universities to hire candidates based on their PhD qualifications and other criteria, eliminating the NET requirement for entry-level roles. The new guidelines introduce multidisciplinary eligibility, allowing individuals to teach in subjects they qualified for through NET, even if it differs from their earlier academic focus. They also offer flexibility, enabling candidates who cleared NET or SET in a subject different from their degree to apply for Assistant Professor roles in their qualified subject.

While the NET requirement is removed for entry-level positions, a PhD remains essential for promotions to Associate Professor and Professor. The draft guidelines also replace the Academic Performance Indicator (API) system with new promotion criteria, focusing on broader academic impact, including innovation, technology development, community contributions, and sustainability practices, offering a more holistic approach to evaluating faculty. Overall, these changes are set to bring about a more inclusive, innovative, and dynamic higher education system, benefitting both educators and students.

Editor's Note:

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently revised the eligibility criteria for Assistant Professor recruitment, removing the mandatory requirement of clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET). This significant shift aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to foster a more inclusive and dynamic academic environment. By allowing universities to hire faculty based on diverse multidisciplinary backgrounds and PhD qualifications, the new norms promote flexibility, innovation, and inclusivity in higher education. These changes are expected to benefit both educators and students, making the recruitment and promotion processes more holistic and accessible.

Skoobuzz appreciates this step as it provides opportunities to a broader range of qualified candidates, enhancing the diversity and quality of academic staff.