ANCSU opposes delinking PhD for college teacher promotions

Dimapur, August 13 (MExN): The All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) has submitted a formal representation to the state government opposing demands to delink the Ph.D. qualification for promotions to Associate Professor and Professor posts, while also strongly objecting to the blanket regularization of guest, ad-hoc, and contract lecturers.

In its representation regarding teaching faculty promotions in the Higher Education Department, the student body highlighted that any move to contravene established standards violates the Nagaland Higher Education Service Rules 2015, the UGC Regulations 2010, and the Revised UGC Regulations 2018.

ANCSU noted that under the 2015 state service rules, progression for Assistant Professors relies on qualifying conditions and API-based PBAS requirements prescribed by the UGC. The union emphasized that a Ph.D. degree remains a mandatory requirement for appointment and promotion to Professor, as well as for advancement from Assistant Professor (Selection Grade/Academic Level 12) to Associate Professor (Academic Level 13A), alongside required teaching experience, research, and publications.

Strongly objecting to any proposal to remove the Ph.D. requirement, ANCSU warned that diluting promotion criteria without a statutory basis would adversely affect teaching quality, research, academic supervision, and institutional governance, while undermining public confidence in academic appointments.

Addressing the issue of guest, ad-hoc, and contract lecturers, ANCSU acknowledged their service to students and academic activities but voiced firm opposition to their blanket regularization. The union stated that such a policy would deprive thousands of qualified young aspirants of equal opportunity, transparency, and a fair selection process.

ANCSU urged the state government and the Higher Education Department to reject the demand to delink the Ph.D. criteria. It further cautioned authorities against initiating any regularization, demanding that all future recruitments be conducted through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) to uphold transparency and meritocracy.

Clarifying its stand, the student union stated that its appeal is not intended to undermine the service interests of the teaching fraternity, but to preserve the sanctity of higher education rules. Reaffirming that academic standards, merit, and institutional integrity must remain non-negotiable, ANCSU added that it remains committed to constructive engagement with the government for the welfare of students, faculty, and the overall education system in Nagaland.