Is Ph.D. Mandatory for Assistant Professor jobs in Universities and colleges?

               Parveenaa UGC NET                                                                    

Is Ph.D. Mandatory 

As of July 1, 2023, Ph.D. is not required for Assistant Professor positions in India. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has ruled that the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET) and State Eligibility Test (SLET) will be the minimum criteria for direct hiring to the position of Assistant Professor. This decision was made to make it easier for talented people to enter the teaching profession, whether they have a  Ph.D. or not. UGC believes that a Ph.D. is not essential for all assistant professorships and that other factors such as teaching experience and research skills are also important. It should be noted, however, that a doctorate degree may still be required for high-level academic positions such as associate professor or professor. Additionally, universities may have specific requirements and preferences when it comes to hiring academic staff. 

Why UGC decided to make the Ph.D. degree optional for assistant professorships:

Improving Access to the Teaching Profession:

 The UGC believed that introducing mandatory PhDs would exclude talented students from marginalized communities who might not be able to obtain PhDs.

Lowering entry age: 

The UGC also assumed that requiring a Ph.D. would raise the age of entry, making it more difficult for young people to access education.

Promoting diversity in the teaching profession:

 UGC believes that introducing the doctorate option will help promote diversity in the teaching profession by making it more accessible to people from different backgrounds.

Why did UGC make the Ph.D. compulsory for assistant professors in 2018 

Improving the quality of education: 

UGC believed that a Ph.D. would equip assistant professors with a solid knowledge of their subject and the ability to conduct independent research. This in turn would improve the quality of education at universities.

Elevating the Status of the Teaching Profession:

 The UGC was also convinced that the introduction of mandatory Ph.Ds would raise the status of the teaching profession in India. This would increase attractiveness to talented students and make it easier to attract and retain good teachers.

To comply with international standards: 

Many countries around the world require assistant professors to have a Ph.D. The UGC has recognized that it is important for India to align its standards with those of other countries.

It should be noted that the decision of the UGC does not mean that the doctorate no longer has a place in the teaching profession. A Ph.D. continues to be seen as a valuable qualification for assistant professorships and will likely continue to be in demand for senior academic positions such as associate professor or professor.

A Ph.D. is a long and demanding program that can take several(3-7) years to complete. It can be a  big commitment, especially if you have other commitments like work or family. Ultimately, deciding to pursue a Ph.D. or not is a personal choice. The pros and cons should be weighed and the best decision may vary depending on the specific context. If you are interested in becoming an assistant professor, I recommend that you check with the specific universities or colleges you are interested in for their requirements.