HRD Ministry Amends UGC Rule, Says No Retrenchment On Performance Index

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has accepted some major demands of the teaching community after a massive protest, assuring teachers that there will be no retrenchment based on the API (Academic Performance Index) and no extra time has to be contributed in direct teaching hours.

The HRD ministry has amended the UGC's circular, issued a month back, which stated that the working hours for assistant and associate professors were to be increased by two hours each.

Higher Education Secretory V.C. Oberoi told reporters at a press conference held after the UGC meeting that there will be no change in workload.

An assistant professor will have to teach 16 hours per week and associate professors and professors will have to devote 14 hours a week for teaching. Furthermore, direct teaching hours will include tutorials, practicals and project supervision.

"Mentoring by professors and teachers will also be recognised while calculating direct teaching score," he said.

While announcing the fourth amendment to UGC (minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges) Regulation 2010, Oberoi talked about ministry’s plans of filling up the vacancies by reducing the number of ad-hoc teachers.

The ministry has also removed the limit on API over research dimension, introduced by the second UGC amendment.

However, to maintain the standard of research and publication, the UGC will consider the list of journals of API score on the recommendations of standing committee.

"The UGC will consider the list of journals on recommendations of a standing committee. This committee will receive the list from the university. UGC will take a call on its inclusion within 60 days of its receipt of recommendation. UGC will also recommend journals," said Oberoi.

The amendments to be effected following the ministry's directions will ensure that the workload remains unchanged and the modifications stay academic friendly.