Model College Recruitment Row: GURSA’s Meeting with Assam CM Goes in Vain

In a move that has triggered widespread backlash, the Assam Higher Education Department has issued directives to appoint retired professors in the newly established model degree colleges of the state, a decision many are calling arbitrary, regressive, and a direct blow to the aspirations of thousands of highly qualified unemployed youth.

In a strong show of resistance against the latest higher education policy, the Gauhati University Research Scholars’ Association (GURSA) has accused the state government of sidelining thousands of highly qualified unemployed youth by favouring retired professors for recruitment in newly established model and provincialised colleges. 

The controversy erupted after the Assam Higher Education Department issued a directive on July 18, instructing four government model colleges to appoint two retired faculty members per department, offering them salaries of ₹1 lakh per month, despite already receiving post-retirement pensions that often exceed that amount.

GURSA had earlier flagged these issues in a May 17 press release, raising alarm over a proposed policy that reserved up to 66.67% of posts for retired professors, leaving very little space for PhD, NET, and SLET-qualified fresh candidates. The association condemned the three-year probation period and low contractual salary of ₹50,000 for new recruits, calling it a blatant disparity when compared to the high-paying, low-risk jobs being handed to retirees.

The research scholars also expressed concern that placing final recruitment authority in the hands of college management committees could lead to political interference, further eroding transparency in public education appointments.

GURSA’s Meeting with CM Ends in Disappointment

In an attempt to address their concerns, GURSA representatives met Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 11 at Janata Bhawan and submitted a memorandum seeking urgent revisions to the policy. The Chief Minister responded positively, promising that:

Research fellowships would be extended to all scholars starting from 2025.
Recruitment would follow earlier established norms, not bypass youth.
Pending assistant professor vacancies would soon be advertised and filled.

However, within days of that meeting, the same government issued fresh orders instructing model colleges to proceed with appointments of retired faculty members ahead of the academic session beginning August 1, without initiating any recruitment process for new candidates.

Retirees Over Youth: Policy Sparks Statewide Outrage

Under the new directive, model colleges like those in Lahorighat, Mangaldai, Chirang, and Borsola have been asked to engage retired teachers under the age of 65. For example, Lahorighat Model College recently invited applications from retired professors for ten teaching posts - two each in English, Assamese, Political Science, History, and Education - offering ₹1 lakh per month. Meanwhile, no ads have been issued for fresh recruitment.

AASU Joins the Chorus: “Mockery of Merit”

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has also come down heavily on the policy. Its president, Utpal Sarma, called the decision “anti-youth” and “a betrayal of the state’s educated unemployed.”

“This is not just policy failure, it’s humiliation,” he said. “Instead of empowering PhDs and NET-qualified candidates, the government is pampering the privileged retired class.”

CM Justifies Move: “We Need Experience”

Responding to the backlash, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma defended the decision, stating, “No need to overreact. Students don’t join colleges without experienced teachers. We’ve opted for a 50-50 formula - experienced and new faculty.”

He also said the move was temporary and necessary to stabilise new institutions, many of which were struggling to attract students due to faculty shortages.

Despite the CM’s explanation, glaring questions remain: Why were 1,700 assistant professors awaiting promotion not considered for model college roles? Why weren’t active, experienced faculty transferred to these institutions? Why not appoint a mix of one associate professor and two assistant professors per department instead of relying on retirees?

These questions remain unanswered as the youths of Assam are once again being asked to wait, even as they age out of eligibility and watch opportunities go to those who have already retired with pensions and job security. 

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