UGC issues new order, PhD not a mandate for Hiring Assistant Professors

With the new order of the University Grants Commission (UGC), those candidates have got some relief, who wants to become an assistant professor. If they don't have a PhD degree yet, they can apply for the same. However, this requirement has been waived off with only for recruitments on the basis of PhD from 1 July 2021 to 1 July 2023. 

PhD not a mandate 

In view of Covid-19, UGC has waived off the mandated requirement of PhD for some time as a compulsory qualification from direct recruitment of assistant professors. In this regard, orders have also been issued to all higher education institutions.

The move is expected to fill vacant posts of assistant professors in higher education institutes across the country. In an official notice, UGC said, "UGC in view of COVID-19 pandemic has decided to extend the date of applicability of PhD as a mandatory qualification for direct recruitment of assistant professors from July 1, 2021, to July 1, 2023." 

As per the existing norms, candidates qualifying for 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. 

The official statement read, "PhD degree shall be a mandatory qualification for direct recruitment to the post of assistant professor in the department of the universities with effect from 01.07.2023. This amendment shall be known as UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education), Amendment Regulation, 2021."