The state higher education department is in a fix over the recent circular issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) vis-a-vis recruitment in colleges and universities.

As per the new regulations of the UGC, candidates with an MPhil will not be allowed any exemption from appearing in the National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET) for a job in the colleges across the states. Similarly, candidates with a PhD degree will not be exempted from appearing for NET and SET examinations for jobs in universities, if the PhD is not according to the new regulations of the UGC.

The West Bengal College Service Commission, which recruits teachers for various colleges in the state, is already continuing with the interview for about 2,750 posts of teachers in the state while giving exemption to the MPhil and PhD students. For a considerable number of posts the recruitment process has been completed.

The government will now have to seek a confirmation from the UGC about the employment of the candidates who have been confirmed as per earlier rules. The universities will also have to halt any further recruitment till the issue is resolved. The embargo came at a stage when the colleges are already battling one-fourth vacant seats.

The vice-chancellors of various universities met on Wednesday at the West Bengal Council of Higher Education to decide how to deal with the crisis situation. “Another meeting will be held in a few weeks,” said Subimal Sen, Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education Council.

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