Professor Recruitment Halted in Maharashtra’s Non-Agricultural Universities, Uncertainty Looms

Pune, 3rd December 2024: The long-awaited recruitment process for vacant professor posts in non-agricultural universities across Maharashtra has been abruptly halted following instructions from the Governor’s Office. This move has left eligible candidates and academic institutions in a state of uncertainty, potentially delaying the appointments once again.

Maharashtra’s non-agricultural universities have 2600 sanctioned professor posts, out of which 1200 remain vacant. The state government had approved the recruitment of 649 of these posts, sparking hope among eligible candidates who have been waiting for years. However, the Governor’s directive to pause the recruitment process has thrown these plans into disarray.

For years, eligible candidates have campaigned for the filling of vacant posts through protests and hunger strikes. Many had welcomed the government’s green light for recruitment, as universities had already completed technical preparations, including the point list, reservation protocols, and advertisement of vacancies. Some institutions had even begun processing applications and scheduling interviews.

The recruitment freeze has significant implications for both candidates and academic institutions. Universities, struggling with a shortage of professors due to retirements and other vacancies, have relied heavily on contractual faculty. This situation has affected the quality of academic work, placing a strain on both staff and students.

Suresh Devdhe Patil, a representative of the NET-SET-PhD Holders’ Struggle Committee, expressed disappointment over the Governor’s decision. “The suspension of the recruitment process raises serious concerns. Candidates who were hopeful are now left wondering whether the process will resume or if further changes will be introduced,” he said.

The Governor’s Office has yet to clarify the reasons for the stoppage or provide a timeline for the resumption of the process. The move has raised critical questions about the future of higher education staffing in the state, impacting thousands of aspiring candidates and the overall academic framework of universities.