Mon Jan 27 14:53:47 IST 2025: ## Bengal Professors Protest UGC’s University Appointment Draft

**KOLKATA, January 27, 2025** – The All Bengal University Teachers Association (ABUTA) has condemned the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft recommendations on appointing vice-chancellors (VCs), calling it an infringement on universities’ academic autonomy. ABUTA spokesperson Goutam Maity stated that the draft vests the power to appoint VCs in chancellors/visitors (governors for state universities and the President for central universities), effectively sidelining other stakeholders like state and university representatives. The association alleges this move is influenced by the BJP government and sent a letter to the UGC outlining their opposition.

The UGC’s draft guidelines, released earlier this month, have already initiated the search committee formation process for 34 Bengal universities. Further concerns were raised about the UGC’s relaxation of PhD requirements for teacher recruitment, a move ABUTA believes will compromise teaching quality. The draft also allows applicants with M.E. or M.Tech degrees and 55% marks to become assistant professors without the NET qualification.

While UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar defended the changes, emphasizing a more holistic assessment and valuing contributions to knowledge and community, ABUTA maintains that these changes will negatively impact academic standards. The controversy highlights a growing tension between the UGC and university faculty over academic governance and recruitment practices.

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