The UGC notification on `Revision of Pay Scales, Minimum Qualifications for the appointment of teachers in Universities and Colleges and other measures for maintenance of standards, 1998,' further states that a representative of scheduled castes/scheduled tribes, women and physically disabled persons, should be included in the selection committee whenever a candidate from any of these categories appears for an interview for recruitment. It has also been made optional for the university or college to utilise the seminar or colloquium as a method for selection of a lecturer, reader or professor.The new notification also provides for a five per cent relaxation, from 55 per cent to 50 per cent, for SC/ST candidates and Ph D degree holders whohave passed their Master's degree prior to September 19, 1991.

It has also said the minimum requirement of 55 per cent should not be insisted upon for existing incumbents in the university system when they apply for some other post. However, it adds that these marks should be insisted upon in case of those entering the system from outside. For the direct recruitment of professors, it has allowed the universities to consider teachers with 15 years of undergraduate teaching or research experience, for the first time. However, it specifies that it should only be done in exceptional cases.

It also states that all recognised autonomous colleges may create posts of professors on the basis of their needs. They have suggested that one post of professor may be created if there are already at least four readers and 12 lecturers. The notification also recommends that two scales should be created for college principals, those with 15 years of teaching or research experience should be in the professor grade and thosewith 10 years' experience be given the reader grade. Readers, who have an experience of eight years, can be promoted to the grade of professors. Apart from the self-appraisal reports, it has said the teachers should be asked to submit three of the best written contributions to the experts to review in advance.

Interestingly, while the workload remains the same -- at least 40 hours a week and 180 teaching days -- it has made it necessary for the teachers to be available for at least five hours everyday in the universities or colleges. And necessary space and infrastructure should be provided by the university or college for this purpose.

It has also asked universities and colleges to make self-appraisal of performance a part of the service agreement and has directed that it should be adopted within one year of implementing the new pay-scales.