• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to broaden the eligibility criteria for Vice Chancellor appointments, potentially allowing industry experts and senior professionals from public administration, public policy, and public sector undertakings to take up the role. These changes are part of the draft guidelines released by the UGC.

The proposed norms also introduce significant changes to faculty recruitment in universities. Individuals with postgraduate degrees in Master of Engineering (M.E) or Master of Technology (M.Tech), securing at least 55 per cent marks, may now qualify for direct recruitment as Assistant Professors without the need to clear the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET).

Moreover, candidates will be permitted to teach based on their highest academic specialisation. For example, a PhD holder in chemistry with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in physics would now be eligible to teach chemistry. Similarly, candidates who pass the NET in a subject other than their prior academic focus can teach the subject in which they qualified for NET.

UGC Chairman Jagadesh Kumar announced that these updates, outlined in the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, will replace the 2018 guidelines.

Previously, Vice Chancellor candidates were required to be distinguished academicians with a minimum of ten years of experience as professors or in prominent research or academic administrative roles showcasing academic leadership. The new guidelines expand this criterion to include individuals with at least ten years of senior-level experience in industry, public administration, public policy, or public sector undertakings, provided they have a strong record of academic or scholarly contributions.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, unveiling the draft guidelines, stated, "By promoting flexibility, inclusivity, and recognising diverse talents, we are paving the way for a dynamic academic future for India, as he emphasised the timely nature of these reforms in light of the ongoing implementation of NEP 2020".

The draft also acknowledges professional achievements such as innovative teaching methods, digital content creation, and contributions to research funding. Furthermore, the new norms eliminate the Academic Performance Indicator (API) system, which was previously used for faculty promotions, signaling a shift towards a more holistic evaluation approach.

"The 2025 regulations move away from the API-based shortlisting used in previous guidelines, focusing instead on a more holistic, qualitative assessment.

"Selection committees will now evaluate candidates based on their broader academic impact, including innovation in teaching, technology development, entrepreneurship, book writing, digital learning resources, community and societal contributions, promotion of Indian languages and knowledge systems, sustainability practices, and the supervision of internships, projects, or successful startups," Kumar said.

Also Read: IAF Agniveervayu 2025: Application Producer Starts Today At agnipathvayu.cdac.in; Check Details Here

For the promotion to Associate Professor level, the norms have been revised for the disciplines of Arts, Commerce, Humanities, Education, Law, Social Sciences, Sciences, Languages, Library Science, Physical Education, Journalism and Mass Communication, Engineering/Technology, Management, Drama, Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Other Traditional Indian Art Forms like Sculpture etc.

Under the revised UGC guidelines, candidates with any of the following qualifications are now eligible: a minimum of eight research publications in peer-reviewed journals, eight published book chapters, authorship of a book or co-authorship of two books with reputed publishers, or eight granted patents.

The guidelines also redefine the composition of the selection committee for the Vice Chancellor’s appointment, reducing it to a three-member panel. This panel will include nominees from the Visitor or Chancellor, the UGC, and the university’s apex body. Previously, the selection committee comprised three to five members.

Moreover, the updated norms specify key criteria for the recruitment and promotion of university and college teachers. These criteria include innovative teaching contributions, the development of research or teaching laboratories, securing consultancy or sponsored research funding as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator, and contributions to teaching in Indian languages.

(With PTI Inputs)

Also Read: UGC NET Admit Card 2024 Released For January 9 Exam At ugcnet.nta.ac.in; Get Direct Link Here