Flip-flop on exam leaves teaching hopefuls in fix

Several aspiring lecturers could face an uncertain future as Higher Education Minister G T Devegowda has stalled a bid by the department to fill up vacant posts in state universities saying it violated the UGC norms.

The officials had planned to implement the previous Congress government’s decision to fill up vacant posts by asking the universities to conduct an entrance exam. However, according to UGC guidelines, professors and assistant professors must be selected through the National Entrance Exam (NET) or State Level Eligibility Test (SLET).

“Many posts are vacant in universities. The students are sufferers. Hence, the previous government had decided to let the varsities recruit faculty by conducting an entrance exam.

However, fearing irregularities, the proposal was dropped. Now, a few officials have asked the varsities to hold an entrance exam,” a senior official told DH. According to the official, the Gulbarga University, Davangere University and Ballari University have called for the entrance exam.

Clarifying his stand on the issue to DH, Minister G T Devegowda said he will find an alternative and will not allow the entrance exam since it violates the supreme body’s norms. “The state is still recovering from the KSOU row. This process will again lead to a mess. As soon as the model code of conduct is relaxed in state, we will take a decision . The recruitment of candidates will be based on NET and SLET rankings,” he said. Several attempts were made to reach the vice-chancellors of the three universities, but there was no response.