Lok Sabha Question No. 154 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Amendments in UGC Guidelines
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Sachithanantham R

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-154

ANSWERED ON- 03/02/2025

## Amendments in UGC Guidelines

## 154. Shri Sachithanantham R:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the proposed amendments to be brought in the UGC guidelines by the Government;
- (b) the timeframe within which the amendments are proposed to be adopted;
- (c) the rationale behind the proposal by UGC to make non-academics eligible for the ViceChancellor's  post  in  the  universities  as  proposed  by  UGC  in  its  recently  notified  draft regulations; and
- (d) whether the recruitments of non-academics in the top positions like Vice-Chancellors will impact on the academic requirements of the universities?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

- (a) & (b): UGC has released the draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment &  Promotion  of  Teachers  and  Academic  Staff  in  Universities  and  Colleges  and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. It  strives  for  driving  transformations  in  the  education  system  and  propelling  the country  towards  Viksit  Bharat  2047  through  quality  education  and  research.  It provides flexibility to universities in appointing & promoting teachers and academic staff  in  their  institutions.  UGC  has  uploaded  these  regulations  on  its  website  for public  consultations.  Comments  of  stakeholders  on  draft  regulations  has  been sought  by  5 th   February,  2025.  The  salient  features  of  the  draft  UGC  Regulations, 2025 are given below:-
- i. These regulations specify the minimum qualifications, experience, and accomplishments for appointment and promotion of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor,  Professor,  Assistant  Librarian,  Deputy  Librarian,  Additional  Librarian, Librarian,  Assistant  Director  of  Physical  Education  &  Sports,  Deputy  Director  of Physical Education & Sports, Additional Director of Physical Education & Sports and Director  of  Physical  Education  &  Sports,  and  appointment  of  Principal  and  ViceChancellor in higher education institutions (HEIs).
- ii. Promotion of Indian Languages has been included as one of the criteria for CAS. It also encourages the use of Indian languages in academic publications and degree programmes.

iii.  Candidates  can  pursue  teaching  careers  in  subjects  they  qualify  for  with NET/SET, even if different from their previous degrees. Ph.D. specialisation will be prioritised.

iv  It  aims  to  eliminate  score-based  short-listing,  focusing  on  a  broader  range  of qualifications, including "Notable Contributions."

- v.  It  facilitates  dedicated  recruitment  pathways  for  experts  in  arts,  sports,  and traditional disciplines.
- vi.  It  provides  opportunities  for  accomplished  sportspersons,  including  those  with disabilities, to enter the teaching profession.
- vii.  It  revises  the  selection  process  for  Vice-Chancellors  with  expanded  eligibility criteria  with  transparency.  Eligibility  for  VCs  also  include  distinguished  persons  in industry,  public  policy,  research  or  academic  administration  and  streamlines  the criteria  for  promotions,  emphasising  teaching,  research  output,  and  academic contributions.

viii.  It  encourages  continuous  learning  and  skill  enhancement for  teachers  through faculty development programs.

ix.  It  promotes  transparent  processes  for  recruitment,  promotion,  and  addressing grievances.

- x. PhD Degree has been made a mandatory qualification for promotion to Assistant Professor  (Level  12),  Associate  Professor  (Academic  Level  13A)  and  Professor (Academic Level 14) in Universities and Colleges.
- xi.  For  colleges coming under the purview of State Governments/Union Territories, direct recruitment to the post of teachers shall be either as per these regulations or as per the rules of the State Government by following the minimum qualifications as given in these regulations.
- xii.  Only  One  Selection  Committee  for  Recruitment/promotion  of  Teachers  in Universities has been prescribed.

xiii.  Only  One  Selection  Committee  for  Recruitment/promotion  of  Teachers  in Colleges has been prescribed.

xiv.  Composition  of  Search  cum  Selection  Committee  for  appointment  of  a  Vice Chancellor in the University has been specified.

xv. The teachers may be appointed against the vacant sanctioned faculty positions on a contract basis for a maximum period of six months, only when it is essential.

The qualifications and selection procedure for appointing them should be the same as  those  applicable  to  a  regularly  appointed  teacher.  The  fixed  total  emoluments paid to such contract teachers should not be less than the monthly gross salary of a regularly appointed Assistant Professor. Such appointments should not be made for more  than  one  academic  session  and  may  be  renewed  after  review  for  another academic session.

(c)  &  (d):  The  NEP  2020  promotes  strong  industry-academic  linkage  to  focus  on research  and  innovation  by  setting  up  start-up  incubation  centres,  technology development centres, centres in frontier areas of research, etc.  The draft regulations say  that  candidates  with  ten  years  of  experience  at  the  senior  level  and  persons possessing  high  academic  qualifications  and  demonstrated  administrative  and leadership capabilities along with abilities to manage complex situations, demonstrate strong alignment to Constitutional values and the overall vision of the institution,  along  with  attributes  such  as  a  strong  social  commitment,  belief  in teamwork, pluralism, ability to work with diverse people, and a positive outlook are eligible for appointment as Vice-Chancellor.  In this way, the draft regulations expand the pool of potential candidates for Vice Chancellor positions by allowing distinguished individuals from industry, public policy, public sector undertakings, etc.

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