NEW DELHI: Heralding a shift in the qualification criteria for the recruitment of teachers in the higher educational institutions in India, Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan released the draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025, in New Delhi on January 6.
“These draft reforms and guidelines will 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,” Pradhan said.
He congratulated the UGC team for efforts in formulating the draft regulations and guidelines in sync with the ethos of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Minister said that the draft regulations, 2025, have been placed in the public domain for feedback, suggestions, and consultations, adding that the move would transform the education system and propel the country towards Viksit Bharat 2047 through quality education and research.
Salient features
The Draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025 will give flexibility to universities to appoint and promote teachers and academic staff.
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: The changes will help create dedicated recruitment pathways for experts in arts, sports, and traditional disciplines.
Inclusivity: It provides opportunities for accomplished sportspersons, including those with disabilities, to enter the teaching profession.
Enhanced Governance: It revises the selection process for Vice-Chancellors with expanded eligibility criteria with transparency.
Simplified Promotion Process: It streamlines the criteria for promotions, emphasising teaching, research output, and academic contributions.
Focus on Professional Development: It encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement for teachers through faculty development programmes.
Enhanced Transparency and Accountability: It promotes transparent processes for recruitment, promotion, and addressing grievances.
For the full draft regulations, click here.
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UGC auditorium inaugurated
Meanwhile, Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated ‘Pushpagiri’, the new auditorium of UGC. The facility is named after an ancient Buddhist monastic complex and a centre of learning atop Langudi Hill in Jajpur district of Odisha.
Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC; heads of the institutions, academicians, officials of the Ministry and other dignitaries were also present at the event.