Recently, the Union Minister for Education 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.

• The Draft will give flexibility to universities in appointing & promoting teachers and academic staff in their institutions.
• The draft regulations and guidelines are available for public consultation, inviting comments, suggestions and feedback from stakeholders.

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Key Highlights of UGC Draft Regulations, 2025

• Appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs): 
  • VCs to be selected by a Search-cum-Selection Committee comprising nominees from:
    • Chancellor/Visitor (Governor for most state universities),
    • UGC Chairperson,
    • University’s apex body (e.g., Senate or Syndicate).
  • Eligibility Criteria: It include professionals from academia, industry, public administration, or public policy.
  • Term: VCs will serve a five-year term with eligibility for reappointment.
• Emphasis on “Notable Contributions”: Recruitment and promotion of faculty to consider contributions in nine areas, such as:

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• • Innovative teaching methods,
  • Sponsored research,
  • Teaching in Indian languages,
  • Startups aligned with HEI policies.
• Career Advancement Scheme (CAS): Promotions based on qualitative assessment rather than score-based metrics.
  • Contributions in research, teaching innovation, and community engagement emphasized.
• Encouragement of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS): Promotes research and teaching in Indian languages and traditional knowledge systems.
• Flexibility in Faculty Recruitment: Allows candidates to qualify for teaching roles through NET/SET in disciplines different from their UG/PG degrees.
  • Ph.D. specialization prioritized over earlier degrees.
• Increased Role for Contractual Teachers: Removes the 10% cap on contractual appointments, giving institutions flexibility to hire more contract teachers.
• Inclusivity and Representation: Encourages participation of underrepresented groups (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Persons with Disabilities) in recruitment and leadership roles.
• Transparency and Governance: Mandates public notifications and streamlined processes for recruitment and promotion to ensure fairness and accountability.
• Professor of Practice (PoP): Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) can engage up to 10% of sanctioned posts for industry professionals, independent of regular teaching roles.
• Promotion of Research and Entrepreneurship: Faculty expected to contribute to research labs, startups, and digital content creation (e.g., MOOCs).
• Compliance and Penalties: Non-compliance with regulations may result in:
  • Debarment from UGC funding and schemes,
  • Loss of recognition under UGC Act Sections 2(f) and 12B.

Merits of UGC Draft Regulations, 2025

• Transparency in Recruitment and Governance: Public notification and structured processes for appointing Vice-Chancellors (VCs) and faculty ensure fairness and accountability in recruitment.
  • Inclusion of external experts in selection committees reduces potential biases.
• Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Promotes interdisciplinary learning, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), and flexibility in faculty recruitment.
  • Encourages academic innovations to align with global standards while preserving cultural heritage.
• Encouragement of Indian Languages: Fosters academic research and teaching in Indian languages, promoting inclusivity and cultural preservation.
  • Supports diverse linguistic backgrounds, benefiting underrepresented regions.
• Broadened Eligibility for Leadership: Inclusion of professionals from industry, public administration, and public policy for VC roles diversifies leadership perspectives.
  • Encourages cross-sector collaboration in higher education governance.
  • Historical examples, such as former President K.R. Narayanan and scientist Y. Nayudamma, shows that non-academics have successfully led universities.
• Focus on Notable Contributions: Replaces the rigid Academic Performance Indicators (API) with qualitative assessments, recognizing contributions such as innovative teaching and community engagement.
  • Supports holistic faculty development and academic excellence.
• Enhanced Career Progression: Simplifies Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), emphasizing impactful contributions rather than bureaucratic metrics.
  • Motivates faculty to focus on meaningful research, teaching, and entrepreneurial efforts.
• Professor of Practice (PoP): Enables institutions to engage industry professionals for teaching and mentoring, promoting practical knowledge and skill development among students.
• Autonomy for Institutions: Institutions can appoint contract teachers without restrictions, allowing flexibility in addressing immediate teaching requirements.
• Global Competitiveness: Aligns Indian higher education with international standards, preparing students and institutions for global mobility and recognition.

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Challenges of UGC Draft Regulations, 2025

• Federalism Challenges: The enhanced role of Governors (Chancellors) in appointing Vice-Chancellors sidelines state governments, reducing their autonomy in university governance.
  • Tamil Nadu and Kerala have strongly opposed these provisions, terming them a direct assault on the federal structure of the Constitution.
• Dilution of Academic Leadership: Allowing non-academicians from industry or public administration to serve as Vice-Chancellors risks compromising academic integrity and focus.
  • This could result in appointments influenced by political considerations rather than academic merit.
• Equity Challenges: Rural and underfunded institutions lack the infrastructure and access to resources required for implementing criteria like lab development and notable contributions.
  • Emphasis on digital content creation and online learning disadvantages institutions and regions with limited access to internet and technology.
• Financial Challenges: A 17% reduction in higher education funding (Budget 2024) makes it difficult for institutions to implement resource-intensive reforms like interdisciplinary systems and infrastructure upgrades.
  • Emphasis on startups and sponsored research risks pushing institutions towards private funding, potentially undermining the focus on public good.
• Implementation Challenges: Many universities, particularly in rural areas, lack trained personnel and infrastructure to implement research-focused and interdisciplinary reforms effectively.
  • Smaller institutions may struggle with the financial burden of implementing reforms like startup initiatives, sponsored research, and lab development.
• Quality Challenges: Removing the 10% cap on contractual teaching appointments risks increasing reliance on temporary faculty, leading to job insecurity and reduced teaching quality.
  • Faculty members face increased pressure to meet diverse qualitative metrics, which may dilute their effectiveness in teaching and mentoring students.
• Technological Challenges: Institutions, especially in rural areas, may lack the necessary tools and infrastructure to support massive open online course (MOOC) and other online learning initiatives.
  • Faculty and administrators may struggle to integrate advanced technologies like AI-driven education and interdisciplinary learning platforms.
• Regional and Institutional Disparities: Institutions in urban areas are better equipped to implement reforms, leading to a widening gap in education quality between urban and rural regions.
  • Established universities are more likely to adapt quickly, while smaller or newer institutions may lag, creating uneven progress across the country.

Way Forward

• Collaborative Policymaking: Ensure state governments have a meaningful role in university governance to uphold the federal structure.
  • Include state nominees in the VC selection process to balance central and state interests.
• Equitable Resource Allocation: Provide targeted funding and grants for rural and resource-limited institutions to meet the criteria for notable contributions.
  • Launch capacity-building programs for smaller institutions.
• Strengthen Academic Leadership: Restrict VC eligibility to individuals with a blend of academic and administrative experience to preserve academic integrity.
  • Establish clear benchmarks for leadership roles, prioritizing academic excellence.
• Monitor Contractual Hiring: Reintroduce a cap or guidelines for contractual appointments to maintain quality and stability in teaching positions.
  • Offer pathways for contractual teachers to transition into permanent roles based on performance.
• Promote Inclusivity: Develop scholarships and support mechanisms for institutions and students in underprivileged areas to prevent widening disparities.
  • Offer research grants specifically for under-resourced universities.
• Faculty Development Programs: Train faculty to adapt to new teaching models, interdisciplinary learning, and research expectations.
  • Partner with academic bodies and industry experts for skill development workshops.
• Focus on Transparent Governance: Enforce accountability in recruitment and promotion processes to minimize political interference and bias.
  • Regular audits and independent oversight committees for university governance.

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Conclusion

While the UGC Draft Regulations, 2025, introduce forward-looking reforms aligned with NEP 2020, they risk undermining federalism, equity, and academic integrity. Addressing these concerns requires collaborative policymaking, resource allocation, and phased implementation.

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