The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET), and State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) will be the minimal requirements for direct recruitment to the post of assistant professor in all universities and colleges.

The revised regulations regarding the minimal requirements for hiring academic staff and teachers were announced on June 30 and went into effect on July 1 of that year.

UGC’s notice reads: “NET/SET/SLET shall be the minimum criteria for the direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor for all Higher Education Institutions.” The amendment replaces the previous sub-regulation of UGC. This amendment aims to maintain and enhance the standards of education in higher education institutions by ensuring that candidates have cleared the necessary eligibility tests for the role of assistant professor.

The UGC chairperson Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar shared the news through his Twitter handle informing PhD qualification for appointment as an assistant professor would be optional.

UGC further stated that the amended regulations will play a crucial role in streamlining the recruitment process and ensuring that only deserving candidates are appointed as assistant professors.