UGC analysing feedback on draft faculty appointment guidelines: Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a statement to the Upper House that the aim of the guidelines was to create an inclusive and multidisciplinary higher education system
| Photo Credit: PTI

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has received feedback on its controversial draft guidelines on faculty appointments. Suggestions have been made on improvements to the provisions relating to the role of Chancellors, and the constitution of the selection committee in the process for appointing Vice Chancellors. The feedback is at different stages of analyses and deliberations, the Union Education Ministry told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (April 2, 2025).

Answering a question by senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Tiruchi Siva, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a statement to the Upper House that the aim of the guidelines was to create an inclusive and multidisciplinary higher education system. Opposition-ruled States had collectively opposed the draft guidelines, citing them as an encroachment on the rights of the States.

The Ministry said that as part of consultation process on the draft UGC regulations, Vice Chancellors of Central universities from all States had been consulted. The draft regulations had also been shared with all the Principal Secretaries, Higher Education of all States; Chairmen of all State Higher Education Councils; the Indian Institutes of Technology; the Indian Institutes of Management; the National Institutes of Technology, and industry bodies.

“Further, UGC uploaded the Draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025 on the UGC website on January 6, 2025 for feedback. UGC has received feedback on the draft regulations, many of which have appreciated it,” the Ministry said, adding that some of the feedback received suggested improvements on the provisions relating to the role of the Chancellor, and the constitution of the selection committee for the appointment of Vice Chancellors. “These feedback are at different stages of analyses and deliberations,” Mr. Pradhan said.

The Minister said the regulations were designed to ensure academic excellence, while respecting the diverse educational frameworks of different States. He added that the regulations aimed to create a more inclusive and multidisciplinary higher education ecosystem, in line with the National Education Policy, by allowing professionals with diverse expertise into academia.

“While the National Eligibility Test or State Eligibility Test is an important eligibility criterion, faculty selection will continue to be rigorous, ensuring that candidates possess the necessary subject knowledge, research aptitude, and teaching skills. Moreover, universities will have the autonomy to assess a candidate’s suitability through interviews, research contributions, and other academic credentials,” he added.

Answering a supplementary question on the matter, Mr. Pradhan said influential persons from the offices of Chief Ministers were appointing their “wives and cronies as Vice Chancellors and lecturers”.