Draft regulations released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday
Propose removal of cap on contract teacher appointments
Clearing National Eligibility Test (NET) would no longer be mandatory qualification for appointment as assistant professor
Stakeholders and members of the public have been given 30 days by the commission to offer comments and suggestions
In radical draft regulations proposed by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Vice Chancellors of universities need not be academicians alone. The position is proposed to be opened to individuals at senior levels in industry, public policy, public administration, or public sector undertakings.
The draft University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, released on Monday (January 6, 2025) by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, also effectively give Governors, who are also Chancellors of universities in their respective states, broader powers in appointing Vice Chancellors.
UGC has given stakeholders and members of the public 30 days to offer comments and suggestions, following which, if approved as such, the new regulations will likely have significant ramifications for Opposition-ruled states such as Punjab, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala, where the state governments and Governors (who serves as Chancellors of state universities) are locked in disputes over the appointment process to these top academic positions.
The draft regulations have also removed the cap on contract teacher appointments. The earlier regulations (2018) had limited such appointments to 10 per cent of an institution’s total faculty positions.
It is specified in the draft regulations that the Chancellor/Visitor (President of India) shall constitute the Search-cum-Selection Committee comprising three experts.
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The earlier regulations mentioned that the selection for the post of Vice-Chancellor should be through proper identification by a panel of 3–5 persons formed by a Search-cum-Selection Committee but did not specify who would constitute the committee.
The draft regulations also warn that non-implementation may result in debarring an institution from participating in UGC schemes or from offering degree programmes.
Moreover, as per the draft regulations clearing National Eligibility Test (NET) will no longer be a mandatory qualification for appointment as an assistant professor.
The draft norms focus on removing “rigidity” from the existing eligibility criteria for faculty appointments and providing opportunities for universities to hire academic staff from diverse, multidisciplinary backgrounds in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Releasing the draft, Pradhan said the guidelines would infuse innovation, inclusivity, flexibility and dynamism in every aspect of higher education, empower teachers and academic staff, strengthen academic standards and pave the way for achieving educational excellence.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sunil Kumar Barnwal; UGC Chairman Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar; heads of institutions, and academicians were among those present.
Key Highlights
• Flexibility: 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.
• Promoting Indian Languages: The draft Regulations encourage the use of Indian languages in academic publications and degree programmes.
• Holistic Evaluation: It aims to eliminate score-based short-listing, focusing on a broader range of qualifications, including “Notable Contributions.”
• Diverse Talent Pool: Creates dedicated recruitment pathways for experts in arts, sports, and traditional disciplines.
• Inclusivity: Provides opportunities for accomplished sportspersons, including those with disabilities, to enter the teaching profession.
• Enhanced Governance: Revises the selection process for Vice-Chancellors with expanded eligibility criteria with transparency.
• Simplified Promotion Process: Streamlines the criteria for promotions, emphasising teaching, research output, and academic contributions.
• Focus on Professional Development: Encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement for teachers through faculty development programs.
• Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: Promotes transparent processes for recruitment, promotion, and addressing grievances.
The draft regulations and guidelines are available for public consultation, inviting comments, suggestions and feedback from stakeholders at:
https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/3045759_Draft-Regulation-Minimum-Qualifications-for-Appointment-and-Promotion-of-Teachers-and-Academic-Staff-in-Universities-and-Colleges-and-Measures-for-the-Maintenance-of-Standards-in-HE-Regulations-2025.pdf
