(a) whether the review committee appointed by the University Grants Commission has recommended change in the existing system of appointment to the post of college principal;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the purpose behind this move; and
(c) the reaction of the Government on the recommendations of the review committee?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SHASHI THAROOR)
(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. A Committee, appointed by the University Grants Commission to revisit the University Grants
Commission (Minimum Qualification for Appointments of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges
and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2010 has recommended a period of ten
years as the terms of appointment of a college principal, with the eligibility for reappointment for another five
years, instead of the present term of five years with the eligibility for reappointment for one more term. The total
experience of teaching/research/ administration for the post of Principal, is recommended to be reduced from fifteen
years to ten years.
The Revisit Committee has clarified that the teaching/ research/ industry experience for the post of Principal
has been reduced from fifteen to ten years to bring the requirement for the post of Principal at par with the
requirement for the post of Professor, which as per the extant Regulations is ten years. The post of Principal is at
the same grade pay and scale as that of a Professor. The Committee has stated that it is important to recruit dynamic
and promising people for the pivotal post of Principal in colleges and reasonably young people who are deserving should
not be unduly excluded on account of their age and experience.
(c) : These Regulations were issued under clauses (e) & (g) of Section 26 of the UGC Act, 1956. The UGC has power under
the Act to issue fresh Regulations or amend the existing ones under clauses (e) & (g) of Section 26 and the approval of
the Government is not required.