UGC Proposes New Rules for University/College Teachers: Now Teachers will have to prove Notable contributions in at least four areas
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released 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.
Key Highlights:
- Scope and Applicability:
- Applicable to all HEIs established under Central, State, or Provincial Acts, including affiliated colleges.
- Enforced upon notification with retrospective pay revision from January 1, 2016.
- Qualification Framework:
- Establishes minimum qualifications for teaching roles (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor) and non-teaching academic staff (Librarians, Directors of Physical Education).
- Incorporates the National Credit Framework (NCrF) for aligning academic qualifications.
- General Conditions:
- Transparent selection and promotion processes with emphasis on merit and innovative contributions.
- Peer-reviewed publications and notable contributions are central for appointments and promotions.
- Promotion and Career Advancement:
- Introduces the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for faculty promotions based on achievements, including publications, patents, and teaching contributions.
- Introduction of Professors of Practice:
- Allows HEIs to appoint industry experts or practitioners, limited to 10% of sanctioned posts.
- Principal and Vice-Chancellor Appointments:
- Elaborates on tenure, qualifications, and selection criteria for these roles.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance:
- Non-compliance by HEIs may result in penalties such as removal from UGC’s recognized list, debarment from offering degree programs, and disqualification from UGC schemes.
Important Points:
- Recruitment and Promotions:
- Direct recruitment through national advertisements and duly constituted selection committees.
- Consideration of teaching experience, research contributions, and peer-reviewed work.
- Relaxations:
- Relaxation of 5% marks for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Persons with Disabilities.
- Exemption from NET/SLET/SET for Ph.D. candidates registered before July 11, 2009.
- Key Eligibility Criteria for Positions:
- Assistant Professor: Minimum 55% in PG with Ph.D. or NET qualification.
- Associate Professor: 8 years of teaching/research experience with 8 peer-reviewed publications.
- Professor: 10 years of teaching experience and 10 peer-reviewed publications or equivalent contributions.
- Physical Fitness Norms:
- Specific norms for physical education staff (e.g., running tests) with exemptions for persons with disabilities.
- Notable Contributions for Assessment:
- Contributions include developing teaching resources, community service, Indian knowledge systems, digital content for MOOCs, and startups.
Role | Qualifications | Experience | Additional Requirements |
Assistant Professor | 55% in PG + Ph.D. or NET/SET | NA | Notable contributions in 4 areas out of 9 specified. |
Associate Professor | Ph.D., 8 years teaching/research | 8 publications | Peer-reviewed work and notable contributions. |
Professor | Ph.D., 10 years teaching/research | 10 publications | Notable contributions and supervision of Ph.D.s. |
Principal | Ph.D., 10 years teaching | 10 research publications or equivalent contributions | 5-year tenure with reappointment eligibility. |
Librarian | Ph.D. in Library Science | 10 years as Assistant/Deputy Librarian | Peer-reviewed contributions. |
Physical Education Director | Ph.D. in Physical Education | 10 years, incl. 3 years as Deputy | Physical fitness norms and notable contributions. |
What are the Notable contributions to be considered by the selection committee for recruitment and promotion of university & college teachers
- Innovative Teaching Contribution;
- Research or Teaching Lab Development;
- Consultancy/ Sponsored Research funding as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator;
- Teaching contributions in Indian languages;
- Teaching-Learning and Research in Indian Knowledge System;
- Student Internship / Project Supervision;
- Digital Content Creation for MOOCs;
- Community Engagement and Service;
- Startup, as per the intellectual property policies of the HEI, registered with the Registrar of Companies (ROC)as a founding promoter, successfully raising funding through government, angel or venture funds to support the startup.
How NCrF Levels are Calculated
