UGC Releases New Draft Regulations for Faculty Recruitment and Promotion
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a new set of draft guidelines titled UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. These guidelines are aimed at transforming the recruitment and promotion process for faculty members in Indian higher education institutions (HEIs).
Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled the draft regulations and invited feedback and suggestions from stakeholders. The UGC hopes the new rules will bring greater flexibility, inclusivity, and excellence to faculty recruitment and career progression.
Key Features of the New Regulations
According to UGC Chairman Professor M. Jagadesh Kumar, the changes will allow faculty applicants to move more easily across disciplines. For example, candidates can qualify for faculty positions based on their performance in a subject of their choice in the UGC-NET, even if their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are in different fields. Additionally, the subject of a candidate’s PhD will take precedence over earlier degrees when applying for faculty positions. This shift aligns with the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020) and aims to create a more multidisciplinary academic environment.
The regulations also emphasize the promotion of Indian languages in higher education. Faculty members will be encouraged to publish books, book chapters, and academic work in Indian languages, in line with NEP-2020’s vision of fostering the use of regional languages in academia.
Moving Beyond Quantitative Metrics
The new regulations replace the Academic Performance Indicator (API) system introduced in 2018. Previously, faculty applicants were evaluated based on numerical criteria, such as the number of research papers or conference publications. The 2025 guidelines shift to a qualitative approach that takes into account a candidate’s overall contributions and academic impact.
Selection committees will now assess candidates based on diverse factors, including innovation in teaching, technology development, societal contributions, promotion of Indian languages, and sustainability practices. Candidates will also be evaluated on their entrepreneurial achievements, digital learning resource creation, community engagement, and supervision of internships or startups.
Focus on Specialized Talent
The draft regulations introduce specialized recruitment pathways to attract experts in fields such as Yoga, Music, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Sculpture, and Drama. These pathways will recognize professional achievements and national or international contributions in these areas. The goal is to bring talented practitioners into academia and preserve India’s rich cultural heritage.
By broadening the criteria for recruitment and promotion, the UGC aims to give faculty members the freedom to excel in areas they are passionate about. Professor Kumar noted that these changes would create a more inclusive and dynamic academic ecosystem while promoting India’s knowledge systems and cultural traditions.
