PhD requirement for Asst. Professor appointments applicable only from July 2023: UGC

A doctoral research degree or Ph.D. as a mandatory requirement with regard to the appointment of Assistant Professors at universities will now be applicable from July 1, 2023 instead of July 1, 2021, according to the University Grants Commission's (UGC) amended regulations.

A notification to this effect has been issued by the UGC with the approval of the Union Education Ministry.

The UGC in 2018 had notified the "University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018", pertaining to the minimum qualifications for the appointment of teachers and other academic staff at universities and colleges.

Clause 3.10 of the UGC Regulations-2018 provided that a Ph.D. degree would be mandatory for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor in universities with effect from July 01, 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, research work at universities was affected ,leading to several representations to the UGC requesting that the date for a Ph.D. requirement for recruitment as Assistant Professor be extended.

Click here to read the UGC letter.

Click here to read Gazatte Notification