Patna: Union Minister Chirag Paswan has urged the Bihar government to reconsider key provisions of the proposed Assistant Professor Recruitment Rules-2026, including the introduction of a domicile policy and raising the maximum age limit for applicants to 55 years.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Paswan also called for the regularisation of long-serving guest Assistant Professors before the recruitment of permanent faculty begins.
Calls For Consultation On Recruitment Rules
Paswan said the state government should consult students, job aspirants, guest professors, university administrations and educationists before finalising the new recruitment rules.
He also called for the rules to be reviewed in line with University Grants Commission guidelines, saying the recruitment framework should not adversely affect the quality of teaching and research in Bihar.
Focus On Long-Serving Guest Faculty
Paswan said the future of qualified guest teachers who have served in Bihar’s universities for several years should be addressed before permanent recruitment begins.
He suggested that their experience could be utilised in newly established colleges across the state and urged the government to provide opportunities for permanent employment or service regularisation.
The Union minister proposed that the services of eligible guest Assistant Professors who have continuously worked in Bihar’s universities should be regularised up to the age of 65.
Six-Point Appeal
Paswan urged the state government to consider six key changes to the proposed recruitment framework:
- Implement UGC Regulation 2018, Table 3A, for Assistant Professor recruitment.
- Set the maximum age limit for Assistant Professor applicants at 55 years.
- Ensure Assistant Professor recruitment in Bihar’s universities is permanent and regular.
- Introduce a domicile policy for Assistant Professor recruitment.
- Protect the autonomy of Bihar’s universities and colleges.
- Regularise eligible long-serving guest Assistant Professors, up to the age of 65, before recruiting regular Assistant Professors.
Focus On Higher Education Autonomy
Paswan also emphasised the need to preserve the autonomy of Bihar’s higher education institutions.
He said the recruitment framework should balance opportunities for qualified candidates with the interests of existing guest faculty and the broader needs of the state’s higher education system.
The Union minister expressed hope that the state government would take a fair and considered decision on the proposed rules, keeping in view the interests of students, candidates and teachers.
