The Government of Maharashtra has introduced amended rules for recruitment in state-owned universities to address faculty vacancies and boost transparency in the hiring process. Under the new guidelines, Academic, Teaching, and Research (ATR) credentials will carry 75% weightage, while interview performance will be limited to 25%. Candidates must secure at least 50 out of 75 marks in ATR to qualify for the interview round.
### Reform Driven by Concerns Over NIRF Rankings
This reform comes in response to a decline in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) standings of state universities. The changes were approved by Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil through a Government Resolution (GR), aiming to resolve long-pending faculty recruitment issues at universities and their affiliated colleges.
### Scoring System Based on Institution Reputation
For assistant professor appointments, marks will now be assigned based on the ranking and reputation of the candidate’s awarding institution. Graduates from premier institutes such as IITs, IIMs, IISERs, NITs, and top 200 global universities will receive full marks.
Candidates graduating from lower-ranked or UGC-approved institutions will receive proportionally fewer marks. Specifically, universities ranked within the top 100 in the NIRF or top 200 globally will be awarded 90% of the aggregate marks, while those ranked between 200 and 500 will receive 80%.
### Streamlined Rules for Administrative Positions
Major administrative roles—such as registrar, finance officer, and directors—will follow a new 100-mark scheme. Half of these marks (50) will be allocated based on educational qualifications.
Additionally, candidate presentations will form part of the interview process. These presentations will be video recorded and securely sealed to allow for legal audit if required, further enhancing transparency.
### Enhancing Transparency and Talent Acquisition
The revised recruitment rules aim to streamline the hiring process, attract highly qualified talent, and improve transparency. This initiative is expected to strengthen the overall quality and competitiveness of Maharashtra’s higher education system, ensuring better academic outcomes and institutional reputation going forward.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/maharashtra-revises-university-recruitment-rules-to-ensure-transparent-faculty-hiring