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UGC Draft Regulations 2025 for faculty
recruitment: What's changing and what will
remain the same
TOI Education | Jan 7, 2025, 10.31 AM IST
UGC Draft Regulations 2025 for Teacher Recruitment: The
University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently released the
draft of its 2025 regulations for faculty recruitment, marking a
significant shift in how academic appointments and promotions
are envisioned in India. These proposals aim to align the
recruitment process with the goals of the National Education
Policy (NEP) 2020. Union Education Minister Dharmendra
Pradhan, while introducing the draft, emphasized its
transformative nature, stating, “By promoting flexibility, inclusivity,
and recognizing diverse talents, we are paving the way for a
dynamic academic future for India.”
M Jagadesh Kumar, the chairperson of the UGC, highlighted that
the new guidelines aim to value contributions to knowledge and community over rigid qualifications. This draft
seeks feedback from stakeholders to ensure that the regulations address the needs of academia while
promoting innovation, inclusivity, and flexibility.
Then vs Now: Comparing the 2018 guidelines with the proposed 2025
regulations
The proposed changes within the UGC’s Draft Regulations 2025 for Teacher Recruitment cover various aspects
ranging from academic requirements to a more streamlined promotion criteria. Here’s a closer look at the
parameters:
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Increased academic flexibility
Under the existing guidelines, candidates were required to have degrees in the same subject across
undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. levels to qualify for teaching positions, limiting opportunities for those
with diverse academic backgrounds.
Under the proposed 2025 draft guidelines, candidates can teach subjects based on their highest academic
specialization. For example, a Ph.D. holder in chemistry, even if their prior degrees were in different subjects,
would qualify to teach chemistry. NET/SET qualification in a subject also enables candidates to teach that subject,
regardless of their previous academic focus.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Revised evaluation metrics
While the previous UGC guidelines relied heavily on the Academic Performance Indicator (API) system, which
reduced academic contributions to numerical scores. The 2025 draft completely eliminates score-based
shortlisting, introducing a holistic evaluation system that values innovative teaching, research funding
contributions, and digital content creation.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Specific provisions for inclusivity
In the 2018 guidelines, inclusivity was promoted generally but lacked specific provisions for sportspersons and
individuals with disabilities. Recruitment pathways were standardized, with limited flexibility for experts in arts,
sports, or traditional disciplines.
However, in the proposed 2025 guidelines, dedicated recruitment pathways for experts in arts, sports, and
traditional disciplines are introduced. Accomplished sportspersons, including those with disabilities, can now
access teaching roles more easily, ensuring a broader and more inclusive talent pool.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Promotion criteria and professional development
In the earlier guidelines promotion criteria emphasized research output with less focus on teaching and
academic contributions. Faculty development programs were encouraged but not strongly emphasized.
The 2025 draft streamlines promotion criteria to prioritize teaching effectiveness, research output, and academic
contributions. Faculty development programs are given greater importance to encourage continuous learning
and skill enhancement.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Vice-Chancellor selection process
The selection process, outlined in the previous guidelines, had narrower eligibility criteria and less transparent
procedures, often limited to traditional academic roles.
Compared to that, the 2025 draft broadens eligibility to include distinguished professionals from fields like
industry, public administration, and policy-making, provided they have proven academic contributions. The
selection process is redesigned for greater transparency.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Transparency and governance
Under the 2018 guidelines, recruitment and promotion processes were often criticized for their lack of
transparency, which led to inefficiencies and grievances.
The 2025 draft enhances transparency by promoting accountable processes for recruitment, promotions, and
grievance redressal, fostering trust and efficiency within institutions.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025: Promoting Indian languages
The 2025 Draft encourages the use of Indian languages in academic publications and degree programs, making
education more accessible and inclusive. The previous guidelines had limited emphasis on the inclusion of Indian
languages in academia.
UGC Draft Regulations 2025 for Teacher Recruitment: Brief overview of
what’s new
Here’s a brief overview of what’s to change with UGC new Draft Regulations 2025 for Teacher Recruitment
coming into effect:
Parameter Existing rules What’s going to change
Academic Candidates required degrees in the Candidates can teach subjects based on their
Flexibility same subject across all academic levels. highest specialization or NET/SET.
Evaluation Relied on the Academic Performance Eliminates score-based shortlisting; values holistic
Metrics Indicator (API) system with numerical achievements.
scoring.
Inclusivity General inclusivity but no specific Dedicated pathways for experts in arts, sports,
provisions for sportspersons or disabled. traditional disciplines, and disabled.
Promotion Focused on research output over Streamlined to prioritize teaching, research, and
Criteria teaching contributions. overall academic contributions.
Vice-Chancellor Narrow eligibility and less transparency. Broader eligibility includes professionals from
Selection industry and public administration with academic
contributions.
UGC asks for feedback on Draft Guidelines 2025
The UGC has invited feedback from stakeholders on the proposed regulations, underscoring the importance of
collaboration in shaping the future of higher education in India. With its focus on flexibility, inclusivity, and holistic
evaluation, the 2025 draft marks a progressive step forward, aligning faculty recruitment and development with
the goals of NEP 2020; whether these changes will meet the expectations of the academic community remains
to be seen.
