UGC defers mandatory PhD for faculty recruitment to 2023; Academics welcome decision

The UGC has amended the Faculty Recruitment Regulations 2018 and notified in the Gazette of India.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended the deadline for direct recruitment of PhD holders as faculty in universities to 2023. The decision has been taken in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted academic activities across higher education institutions.

In 2018, UGC came up with regulations on faculty recruitment, Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018.

The regulations stated that PhD degree shall be a mandatory qualification for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant professor in universities from 01.07.2021.
The UGC, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, has decided to extend the date of applicability of PhD as a mandatory qualification for direct recruitment of Assistant professors from 01.07.2021 to 01.07.2023.

Accordingly, an Amendment to the aforesaid Regulations has been notified in the Gazette on October 11, 2021.

Teachers associations across universities are happy with the decision.

Big relief for DU Adhoc teachers

Delhi University has the highest number of faculty positions vacant among central universities, with over 4500 Adhoc teachers working at various DU colleges and departments.

Rajib Ray, President, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) said: "The UGC has deferred the mandatory clause of PhD for appointment as Assistant Professors in universities for two years till June 2023. This is a big relief for Adhoc teachers working in University Depts. A big victory for DUTA as timely intervention and pursuance forced the UGC to concede to this demand. The DUTA first highlighted this issue with the UGC on 14 August and then met UGC officials on 15 September."

He demanded that Delhi University must immediately issue a corrigendum to the advertisement to enable all to apply for the posts advertised in various depts.

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