University Grants Commission (UGC) has made PhD degree mandatory for the post of Assistant Professor for direct recruitment to Universities and for promotion in Colleges.

Union Minister Prakash Javedkar has announced the regulations on Wednesday and said, "PhD Degree shall be mandatory requirement for Direct Recruitment to the post of Assistant Professors in University with effect from July 01, 2021. However, Masters Degree with NET or PhD will continue to be minimum eligibility requirement for Direct Recruitment to the post of Assistant Professors in colleges.

UGC has brought out these new regulations in order to attract and retain the best quality teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges.

Reportedly, the new regulations will come into effect from July 2021; demand no changes for direct recruitment in colleges. Masters degree with National Eligibility Test (NET) or PhD continues to be the minimum eligibility criteria for direct recruitment.

The Minister added that the incentives of the earlier regulations have been maintained, but the API for college teachers has been removed. For the first time, provision for promotion in colleges will be up to the Professor level.