MUMBAI: In a major setback for Maharashtra governor's office, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday ruled out the establishment of a public commission to recruit university faculty under current norms.
In a letter addressed to the state, a copy of which is with TOI, the UGC dismissed governor C P Radhakrishnan's proposal as a "deviation" from established regulations. The verdict has thrown state universities into a quandary as they wrestle with uncertainty over filling 659 faculty vacancies.
The growing void in academia sparked concerns about the escalating standoff between the chancellor's office and the state govt.
The UGC's response was prompted by a state govt enquiry into the feasibility of the governor's recommendation, which sought to overhaul Maharashtra's faculty recruitment policy by establishing a centralised hiring commission. The governor, who is chancellor of state universities, sent a directive on Nov 26, 2024, to pause all university faculty appointments.
The UGC letter dated Jan 10 said: "There is no provision for the establishment of a distinct commission for selection and appointment of teaching cadres for state public universities and affiliated colleges." It went on to add: "Universities and colleges should appoint teaching cadres through duly constituted selection committees, adhering to the provision prescribed in UGC Regulations 2018." The rejection left educational institutions and policymakers at an impasse.
The governor, in a recent appearance at Mumbai University, said even if faculty appointments are delayed because of a new system being set up, he wanted to establish a rigorous system—beginning with an entrance test and followed by interviews—which, he said, is essential to ensure fairness and quality in the process.
Meanwhile, the new UGC draft regulations 2025 note that colleges can conduct direct recruitment. The letter closed with the UGC reiterating: "Still the universities should make appointments in teaching cadres through duly constituted selection committees, adhering to the provisions prescribed in the UGC regulations. Hence, constitution of a separate commission for the appointment of teaching cadre in the state universities will cause deviation from the provisions of the UGC regulations."