![A view of Delhi University [Representative image | PTI]](https://img.theweek.in/content/dam/week/news/india/images/2018/6/14/delhi-university-pti.jpg "A view of Delhi University [Representative image | PTI]")
In a move that could have implications on aspirants of college teaching, the HRD ministry has made PhD degree mandatory for teaching positions in higher education from 2021. As of now, those who have got a post graduate degree can enter the system by taking the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the UGC or they can directly enter if they have a PhD degree. NET will become less relevant from 2021 and will be considered only for promotions and fellowships.
The ministry has brought in sweeping changes in appointment of teachers to improve the quality of higher education. It has done away with the research criteria for college teachers. The research criteria, however, has been retained for university teachers. Provision for promotion in colleges will be up to professor level.
The ministry has also allowed recruitment of assistant professors in universities and colleges for PhD degree holders from a foreign university/institution in the top 500 global rankings.
Newly recruited teachers at colleges and universities will have to compulsorily undergo a one month induction course. With SWAYAM—the HRD ministry-led Massive Open Online Courses platform—gaining traction among students, teachers who did such courses will get weightage in promotions.
"With these steps that we have taken, teachers will be incentivised to do more to get promotion. They will be more active on the campus," said HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar.
Up to 10 per cent of the existing sanctioned strength of professors in universities will be appointed as senior professors in the universities. Senior professors in universities will be appointed through direct recruitment and through promotion under CAS.