Source: The post UGC Draft Regulations 2025 Harm Universities and Faculty has been created, based on the article “Manoj Jha writes: UGC is diminishing universities” published in “Indian Express” on 30th January 2025
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Education.
Context: The article criticizes the draft UGC Regulations 2025 for reducing university autonomy and harming higher education. It highlights issues in faculty appointments, promotions, and research standards. It also argues that ideological bias influences recruitment and threatens academic freedom.
For detailed information on UGC Draft Regulations 2025 read Article1, Article2
How Do the UGC Draft Regulations 2025 Affect University Autonomy?
The draft regulations reduce the autonomy of universities. They weaken the powers of states in appointing vice-chancellors. This affects the federal structure of higher education governance.
What Are the Key Issues in Faculty Appointments and Promotions?
- New Barriers for Professorship: Assistant professors with more than 10 years of experience must serve as associate professors for three years before applying for professorship. This rule punishes deserving candidates.
- Limited Promotions for Professors: Only 10% of professors at Level 14 can move to Level 15. This creates an artificial hierarchy and harms faculty morale.
- Unfair Promotion Delays: Earlier, Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) promotions were backdated. The new rule removes this provision, allowing universities to delay promotions without accountability.
How Do the Regulations Impact Research Standards?
- Inconsistent Publishing Rules: The 2018 policy required journal publications instead of books for promotions. The 2025 draft reverses this but exempts college teachers from publishing requirements.
- Disbanding of the CARE List: The removal of this journal list weakens research standards. These frequent changes confuse faculty and harm academic careers.
Is the UGC Acting Without Legal Backing?
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 proposed replacing the UGC with the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI).
- However, HECI has not been established. The UGC continues to issue regulations without the legal framework to do so.
Why Is There Concern About Recruitment in HEIs?
- Faculty Vacancies: There is a demand to fill vacant teaching positions, but recruitments are not transparent.
- Discrimination in Hiring: The frequent use of “Not Found Suitable” (NFS) in faculty selection affects SC, ST, and OBC candidates. This weakens affirmative action efforts.
- Ideological Appointments: Many administrative positions are given to individuals who align with the ruling ideology. Some people hold multiple positions in different HEIs.
Conclusion
The UGC Draft Regulations 2025 weaken university autonomy, disrupt faculty promotions, and lower research standards. Rules on hiring create unfair barriers and promote ideological bias. The removal of backdated promotions and arbitrary quotas harm faculty morale. Frequent regulatory changes damage academic stability and violate constitutional principles.
Question for practice:
Evaluate the impact of the UGC Draft Regulations 2025 on university autonomy, faculty promotions, and research standards.
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