The University Grants Commission (UGC) released a draft of new rules on 7 January 2025, introducing significant changes affecting the eligibility of assistant professors, their promotion and the appointment process of vice-chancellors. The update is the first major change in five years and aims to make the recruitment process more flexible and inclusive. The new draft rules provide more opportunities for candidates, especially those with multidisciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to apply for various academic posts in different fields.
With these changes, the previously existing rigidity in terms of qualifications and recruitment processes is being replaced by a more flexible, open approach. However, there is some confusion among the candidates regarding the requirement of National Eligibility Test (NET) for Assistant Professor posts. Candidates might be thinking that the new draft will eliminate the requirement of NET, but it is not so. In this article, we will clarify important details of the draft, especially with regard to the NET requirement.
NET requirement for Assistant Professor
The recent UGC draft has created some confusion regarding whether NET is necessary for Assistant Professor posts. Some people think that .NET is no longer necessary, but this is not entirely true. Some changes have been made in the new draft, but NET is still mandatory for most of the candidates.
If one has completed his/her PhD before July 11, 2009, he/she is not required to qualify the NET exam to become an Assistant Professor. This is an important exception. Also, if a person has completed M.Tech or ME degree, or if they have a bachelor’s degree with 75% marks or a master’s degree with at least 55% marks, as well as a PhD, So they do not need to take NET. One of the two. However, if someone has only a master’s degree and not a PhD, they will still need to clear a similar exam like NET or SLET/SET. In simple words, while the new draft has made some changes to make the process more flexible, the NET exam is still required for most candidates unless they fall in one of the above categories.
Major changes in UGC draft
The UGC draft introduces several significant changes in the recruitment and promotion processes for academic staff, aimed at creating a more inclusive and transparent system for both candidates and higher education institutions. These changes focus on expanding eligibility, simplifying the recruitment process, and providing more opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds. The major changes outlined in the draft are:
- Candidates will now be eligible for the role of Assistant Professor in the subject or discipline of their PhD, even if their undergraduate or postgraduate degree is in a different subject. This flexibility allows individuals to apply for positions in their area of ​​expertise regardless of their educational background.
- The NET qualification will now be applicable to the discipline or subject in which a candidate has completed their PhD, allowing them to specialize in the field studied at the doctoral level.
- It has been emphasized in the draft that Ph.D. Degree will be mandatory for Assistant Professor recruitment. However, it provides flexibility by allowing candidates with different qualifications to apply for the post, including PG degrees in technical fields like M.Tech or ME.
- The recruitment process of Vice-Chancellors will now include an all India advertisement and public notification, thereby ensuring a fair and transparent selection process that can reach a wide pool of eligible candidates.
- Promotion of Assistant Professor will no longer be based only on Academic Performance Indicator (API) score. Instead, the focus will shift to the candidate’s contribution in 9 areas, such as innovation in teaching, participation in research and community engagement, digital content creation for teaching-learning and MOOCs, etc.
Benefits of UGC Draft
The UGC draft rules provide several benefits to the candidates, making the recruitment and promotion process more accessible and flexible. These changes are intended to encourage a more diverse range of applicants and to recognize a wider variety of academic contributions. Let us know the main benefits:
- Extended Eligibility: The draft allows candidates to apply for assistant professor positions in the subject of their PhD, even if their undergraduate or postgraduate studies are in a different subject. This provides more opportunities for candidates with diverse educational backgrounds, making it easier for them to enter the teaching profession.
- More Transparent VC Selection: The new rules ensure that Vice Chancellor recruitment is conducted in a fair and transparent manner through all India advertisements and public notifications. This change ensures that eligible candidates from across the country get a chance to apply for the coveted role of Vice Chancellor.
- Holistic Approach to Promotion: Promotion for assistant professors will no longer be based on API score alone, but the individual’s contribution to teaching, research and community service will also be considered. This shift encourages more meaningful and impactful work in education and recognizes the diverse ways teachers contribute to their institutions.
- Old Ph.D. Exempt candidates for: Candidates who completed their PhD before 11 July 2009 are exempted from the NET/SLET/SET requirements, acknowledging their previous hard work and qualifications, ensuring that they will not be unfairly disadvantaged by the new requirements.
- Encouraging multidisciplinary collaboration: The draft encourages candidates to pursue interdisciplinary research and teaching, while fostering a more collaborative academic environment. With the flexibility to apply for positions in disciplines outside their initial academic background, candidates are more likely to engage in inter-disciplinary research and innovation.
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