Dr GT Thong
Lower Agri Colony, Kohima
An article “ANCSU opposes…” in some of our local dailies dated 13th and 14th August 2026 caught my attention for the irreparable damage that may befall higher education in Nagaland. The UGC regulations are very clear on matters related to PhD. While the degree is preferable, but not essential at the entry level to Assistant Professor, it is mandatory for promotion to Associate Professor and above.
All Government College Teachers of Nagaland must be totally bound by UGC Regulations, as they enjoy the UGC scales of pay. If the Nagaland government is desirous of giving relaxations to some teachers, then these teachers must be paid the state scales, and hence, State Government salaries; stop giving them the UGC scales of pay. Further, only qualified teachers with higher degrees, PhD in this case,and in the UGC pay scales,should be appointed as Principals of degree colleges.
Attempting to amend the Service Rules,definitely at the behest of a few individuals,is indeed a cause for concern. Any deviation form UGC guidelines must be prevented at all costs. The framers of these Regulations had the best interest of the country in mind. India was badly trailing behind in international research. It was only recently that India’s standing improved a lot, thanks to the UGC Regulations. It is the bounden duty of every higher education teacher to contribute, by research, to the growth and development of our society, state, and the nation. With Nagaland in such a mess on all fronts, it is indeed tragic to find attempts at further diluting and hence destroying,even higher education.
It was widely believed that the matter of the 114 contractual Assistant Professors was permanently laid to rest after the protest by the NNQF, NSF, etc.,but it appears that someone really high up,is hell-bent on taking this agenda forward, notwithstanding the illegality. It will surely create unrest. Are we testing the patience of our Gen Z, who have remained calm thus far? Is this an open challenge to them to test the might of the government? The results of the recent movements in Nepal and Bangladesh are there in the open for all to see. The turmoil in India, starting from Jantar Mantar, rattled the supposedly unshakeable government, which almost lost its foothold -and the worst may yet be looming over the horizon. With things equally bad,if not worse, in our small state, one shudders to think of the consequences. The Government should not allow one, or a few individuals to sacrifice its position at the altar of manipulation.
