Union Minister for Education Shri Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday unveiled the draft UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment & Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2025. The event in New Delhi also marked the inauguration of ‘Pushpagiri,’ a state-of-the-art auditorium built by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Addressing the gathering, Shri Pradhan emphasised the transformative potential of the draft regulations in fostering innovation, inclusivity, flexibility, and dynamism in higher education. “These guidelines will empower educators, elevate academic standards, and pave the way for educational excellence in alignment with the ethos of NEP 2020,” he said. He praised the UGC for its dedicated efforts and expressed confidence in the regulations’ ability to propel India towards “Viksit Bharat 2047” through enhanced education and research.
The draft regulations, now available for public consultation, seek feedback from stakeholders to refine and finalize the policy framework. Shri Pradhan encouraged active participation in this process, underscoring its importance in shaping the future of higher education.
Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman, UGC; senior academicians, institutional heads, and other dignitaries attended the occasion.
The Minister also lauded the naming of the UGC’s newly constructed auditorium, ‘Pushpagiri,’ a tribute to Odisha’s rich intellectual heritage. Pushpagiri, located in Jajpur, Odisha, was a renowned center of learning in ancient India. Shri Pradhan expressed personal pride in this acknowledgment of India’s historical knowledge systems and hoped the auditorium would become a hub for meaningful intellectual discussions.
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Draft UGC Regulations 2025: Key Highlights
- Flexibility in Appointments: Encourages recruitment of candidates based on NET/SET qualifications and Ph.D. specialisation, irrespective of prior degrees.
- Promotion of Indian Languages: Advocates greater use of Indian languages in academics.
- Holistic Evaluation: Moves away from score-based shortlisting to a broader qualification assessment, including “Notable Contributions.”
- Inclusivity: Introduces pathways for talented individuals in arts, sports, and traditional disciplines to join academia, with provisions for persons with disabilities.
- Simplified Promotions: Streamlines promotion criteria, focusing on teaching, research, and academic contributions.
- Enhanced Governance: Revises eligibility and processes for Vice-Chancellor appointments to ensure transparency.
The draft regulations aim to modernise higher education governance, improve professional development opportunities for teachers, and uphold accountability in recruitment and promotion processes. For more details, stakeholders can review the draft at: UGC Draft Regulations 2025.
