UGC makes PhD optional for assistant professors, NET, SET, SLET remain key criteria
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New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced a significant change in the qualifications required for the appointment of Assistant Professors. From July 1, 2023, a PhD qualification will be optional, said UGC Chairman Prof M Jagadesh Kumar on Twitter.
The UGC's latest decision states that the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET), and State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) will serve as the minimum criteria for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor. NET/SET/SLET shall be the minimum criteria for the direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor for all Higher Education Institutions," he wrote.
This policy change has been officially documented in the UGC gazette notification dated June 30, now referred to as 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) (2nd Amendment) Regulations, 2023.' The notification highlights amendments made to 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.'
In the meantime, officials have announced that the final results of the UGC-NET exams will be released in the second week of August. The UGC-NET exam determines the eligibility of candidates for the positions of 'Assistant Professor' and 'Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professor' in universities and colleges.
Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode since December 2018, the UGC-NET exams occur twice a year, with sessions taking place in December and June. In 2021, the UGC had already declared that a PhD was not mandatory for the direct recruitment of Assistant Professors until July 2023.
With this latest development, aspiring Assistant Professors will have the option to pursue a PhD or meet the criteria of the NET, SET, or SLET exams to secure a position. The UGC's decision aims to provide flexibility while maintaining standards in higher education institutions across the country.