Union Education Minister says, 'Phd not mandatory to hire Assistant Professor'

As per the Union Education Minister, having a postdoctoral or a PhD degree is not mandatory as the minimum eligibility for hiring assistant professors across Indian higher education institutes. The criteria has been lifted by the Ministry of Education temporarily in order to allow universities to fill the vacant positions.

Earlier, in 2018, the government had stated that to be hired at the posts of assistant professor, candidates needing a PhD and NET will not be the only criteria for recruitment. The announcement was made under the University Grants Commission (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.

Speaking to the media, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "the plan of implementing the policy has been put on hold for the current year, however, it has not been cancelled. The move is also expected to fill vacant teaching posts across higher education institutes faster."  

As reported by news18.com earlier, "the government had received many representations made by MPs and teachers asking to postpone the 2018 guidelines as it would have negatively affected NET qualified candidates. Since universities have been shut and research activities suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic." 

As per the existing norms, candidates qualifying for the teacher eligibility exams including NET, SET, SLET are eligible to apply for the post of assistant professor. Candidates who have been awarded a PhD degree in accordance with UGC regulations will be exempted from the requirement of the minimum eligibility condition of NET/SLET/SET.