Admission Enquiry
Learn about UGC's guidelines on whether a Ph.D. is mandatory for the appointment of assistant professors in universities.
In a recent notice, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced a significant change in the eligibility criteria for the appointment of assistant professors in universities and colleges. It stated that candidates will no longer be required to hold a Ph.D. for an entry-level position, making it an optional eligibility criterion from July 2023 onward.
The decision to eliminate the mandatory Ph.D. requirement for assistant professor recruitment follows a series of previous decisions and extensions by the UGC.
In 2018, the UGC initially established mandatory Ph.D. criteria for entry-level positions, allowing candidates a three-year window to complete their Ph.D. degrees. These criteria were set to take effect from the 2021–22 academic session. However, due to challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the implementation date was extended to July 2023. Subsequently, the requirement has been eliminated altogether. The UGC enacted these changes utilizing the authority granted by clauses (e) and (g) of section 26 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.Reasons for the Revised Recruitment Guidelines
The UGC has revised its recruitment guidelines for assistant professors in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to make the hiring process more efficient and to attract more applicants. The requirement of a Ph.D. has been removed to allow for greater flexibility in evaluating candidates. However, NET and SLET scores are still required as minimum eligibility criteria to ensure that candidates have cleared necessary tests, maintaining quality standards.
Institutions now have the freedom to set their own shortlisting criteria above the UGC's minimum standards, considering discipline-specific factors. These changes promote healthy competition and enable HEIs to select from a diverse pool of qualified candidates while maintaining certain eligibility standards.
It's important to note that a Ph.D. degree remains mandatory for promotion to an associate professor level. After being selected as an associate professor, candidates must engage in quality research and obtain a Ph.D. for promotion to the next level.
The revision of regulations by the UGC is expected to lead to several favourable outcomes in the hiring process for the role of associate professor, including:
- A broader pool of eligible candidates: The removal of the mandatory Ph.D. requirement allows individuals with good teaching skills and research potential to be considered for entry-level positions.
- Opportunities for industry experts: Candidates with prior industry experience can now be considered for assistant professor positions, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
- Simplified recruitment process: The new guidelines aim to make it easier to fill vacancies effectively, addressing the persistent problem of faculty shortages in the higher education sector of India.
The National Eligibility Test (NET) and State Eligibility Test (SET) or State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) are crucial examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine the eligibility of aspirants for the positions of assistant professor and Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Indian universities and colleges. These tests provide a standardized evaluation process, assessing candidates' knowledge and competence in their respective fields.
Copyrights © 2024 NIILM UNIVERSITY. All rights reserved.
