Academic Community Rallies Against UGC's Move to Withdraw Non-Compounded Advance Increments

Delhi University Educators Urge Education Minister to Reverse UGC's Controversial Directive

Non-compounded advance increments for higher qualifications refer to additional salary increases given to individuals holding advanced academic degrees such as PhD, MPhil, or LLM. These increments are typically awarded at the entry-level, particularly for positions like Assistant Professor, and serve to recognize and reward candidates' higher academic qualifications.

In light of the recent UGC decision to withdraw these non-compounded advance increments for qualifications like PhD, MPhil, and LLM, members of the Academic and Executive Council of Delhi University, along with representatives from the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), have formally raised their concerns in a letter to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. This move has sparked significant apprehension within the academic community, with many arguing that it undermines the value of advanced qualifications and could negatively affect the quality of education and research.

In their letter, the academics argued that the UGC’s directive, issued on February 10, 2025, contradicts the UGC’s 2018 Regulations, which explicitly allow advance increments for teachers holding qualifications like PhD, MPhil, and LLM. They emphasized that a directive from the UGC cannot override gazetted regulations, and removing these increments would be unfair to faculty members and detrimental to academic excellence. The academics further expressed concerns that higher qualifications significantly improve teaching quality and should be incentivized rather than discouraged. They called on the Ministry of Education to intervene and prevent the implementation of what they described as a "draconian" directive. Additionally, they urged the UGC to ensure that increment withdrawal is not applied retrospectively, as this would adversely impact faculty members who earned their qualifications under the previous regulations.

The academics stressed that teachers deserve respect, fair service conditions, and incentives for academic excellence, rather than policies that hinder their professional growth. They appealed to the Education Minister to instruct the UGC to withdraw the controversial letter and guarantee that teachers continue to receive appropriate increments for their academic qualifications. This issue has sparked widespread concern within academic circles, with faculty members across Central Universities calling for a reassessment of the decision. The widespread concern among the academic community highlights the need for a reassessment of the UGC's decision to ensure fair recognition and incentives for advanced academic qualifications.

Editor's Note:

The UGC's decision to withdraw non-compounded advance increments for degrees like PhD, MPhil, and LLM undermines the value of higher education and the hard work of our academic community. This move disregards the dedication of educators who have invested years in advancing their knowledge to improve our educational system. The letter from Delhi University’s Academic and Executive Council, supported by the DUTA, highlights the widespread concern within academic circles. The Ministry of Education must take immediate action to address this unfair decision and prevent its implementation. It is vital to recognize that higher qualifications improve teaching quality, foster academic excellence, and contribute to the growth of educational institutions. By discouraging educators from pursuing advanced degrees, we risk hindering innovation, research, and the development of our academic community.
The Ministry of Education must intervene and ensure that teachers continue to receive the respect, fair conditions, and incentives they deserve for their academic achievements.

According to Skoobuzz, this action is a call to protect the integrity and future of our education system. Let’s stand together to ensure our educators are respected and valued.