NET Now Mandatory For Assistant Professor Jobs In Maharashtra

New Delhi: In a major update for thousands of candidates aspiring for government jobs as assistant professors, clearing an eligibility test has now become mandatory. Candidates will no longer be able to apply for assistant professor positions without qualifying for an eligibility examination. The Maharashtra government has made significant changes to the eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to assistant professor posts in higher education institutions across the state.

The decision comes at a time when questions were being raised over the recruitment of assistant professors by some institutions solely on the basis of PhD and MPhil degrees, without requiring candidates to clear any eligibility examination. The move is expected to benefit thousands of NET- and SET-qualified candidates who had been facing uncertainty over recruitment requirements.

What Are the New Eligibility Rules for Assistant Professors?

The Maharashtra government's Higher and Technical Education Department has introduced the following changes to the eligibility criteria for assistant professor recruitment:

Mandatory Eligibility Test: Candidates seeking direct recruitment as assistant professors in colleges and higher education institutions across Maharashtra must now qualify for at least one of the following examinations: the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET), or State Level Eligibility Test (SLET).

Exemption for PhD and MPhil Holders Withdrawn: Earlier, candidates holding PhD and MPhil degrees in certain subjects were granted exemptions from these eligibility examinations and were given preference in recruitment. This had reportedly led to uncertainty and allegations of irregularities in the selection process. Under the revised rules, these exemptions have been completely withdrawn, establishing uniform eligibility criteria for all candidates.

Clarity on Eligibility Criteria: The amendment has been issued to modify the earlier government resolution (GR) of March 2019 and address confusion surrounding the implementation of the University Grants Commission's (UGC) regulations dated June 30, 2023.

New Government Resolution (GR): The state government has issued a revised government resolution to bring greater transparency and uniformity to the recruitment process.

As per media reports, Kushal Mude, National Coordinator of the All India NET-SET Teachers' Organisation, welcomed the Maharashtra government's decision. He said the revised rules would bring uniformity to the recruitment process and benefit candidates who have already cleared the required eligibility examinations.

He said, "NET and SET are mandatory eligibility criteria and should remain so. However, these rules are not being properly implemented in some places, and candidates holding PhD degrees in different subjects are being exempted from NET and SET. The state government's decision will bring uniformity to appointments. It will also ensure that candidates are evaluated through eligibility examinations conducted at the national and state levels."