Want to be an assistant professor? PhD degree is mandatory for you from 2021

New Delhi, June 14: In a new significant move to bring changes in the teaching criteria in universities and colleges, Union Minister of Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday announced new regulations by the University Grants Commission (UGC) stating Ph.D. to be mandatory for recruitment of assistant professors from 2021.

The HRD minister stated that publication of research in academic journals too is no longer a criterion for promotion. However, teachers can continue to conduct research. The ministry also said that a Ph.D. degree will be mandatory for teachers seeking promotion or direct recruitment to assistant professor’s post in colleges and universities from 2021.

 

The new regulations also make special provisions for recruitment of assistant professors from Ph.D. degree holders who have graduated from a college or university ranked among the top 500 globally. Until now, a master’s degree in education and clearing the National Eligibility Test (NET) were enough to secure an assistant professor’s job. Thus, the HRD ministry’s move will reduce the significance of the National Eligibility Test.

However, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said that the exam will be retained, if only for admission to fellowship programmes. In a first of its kind, the regulations also introduce a provision for promotion in Colleges to the professor level. Earlier, the hierarchy ended at the Associate professor or Assistant professors.

A special category for medal winners in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games has been made for College Directors/Assistant Directors, Sports and Deputy Directors, Physical Education and Sports to promote sports in colleges and universities.