Osmania University recruited 82 unqualified teachers, CAG report reveals

A CAG report found that Osmania University appointed 82 teachers without required qualifications like PhD or NET. Several colleges under the university were involved. The government said some hires were conditional, but the issue raises serious concerns about recruitment practices.

Hyderabad: In an utter disregard for rules and regulations, Osmania University (OU), the 109-year-old and one of the oldest universities in the country, recruited not just one or two but a staggering 82 teachers without a PhD, National Eligibility Test (NET), or State Eligibility Test (SET) qualifications that are mandatory as per the University Grants Commission (UGC).

At 26, most teachers had been appointed at the Osmania University College for Women, popularly known as Koti Women’s College, which has now been upgraded as Veeranari Chakali Ilamma Women’s University. It is followed by the famous Osmania University College of Engineering (OUCE), where 23 teachers had been recruited despite lacking necessary qualifications.

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Similarly, 18 faculty members in Osmania PG College, Secunderabad and eight in OU District PG College, Mirzapur, lacked mandatory qualifications for the appointment. These violations came into limelight in the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report, which was recently tabled in the Legislative Assembly.

“Audit observed that as of January 2023, 82 teachers (10 per cent of the total teachers appointed) were appointed without a PhD, NET, or SET qualification,” the CAG said.

As per the UGC 2010 regulations, the minimum qualification for appointment as a regular assistant professor is a master’s degree with 55 per cent marks in a relevant/ allied subject.

In addition, candidates must have cleared NET, State Level Eligibility Test (SLET), or SET. However, candidates who are or have been awarded a PhD are exempt from the requirement of minimum eligibility condition of NET, SLET, or SET. The same qualifications are applicable for appointment of teachers on a contract basis.

Violation was that a few teachers secured jobs with just an undergraduate qualification. As per the report that named the department-wise faculty members, one OUCE teacher was appointed with a BE qualification, while one faculty member at OU PG College, Secunderabad, was selected with just a BTech degree.

A quick scan of profiles of the OUCE faculty members, particularly those listed in the CAG report, revealed that the teachers acquired PhD degrees between 2022-24 and there was no mention of whether or not they cleared the NET, SLET, or SET.

The State government, in its February 2024 reply to the CAG, said teachers, who were appointed conditionally under SC/ST backlog vacancies, were to pass the NET/SLET/SET within a period of two years with effect from the date of their appointment.

“Otherwise, their annual increments and promotion under CAS would not be considered. It was also stated that there were certain teachers who are working as Assistant Professors (Contract) appointed by the Principals of the College with the College Level Selection Committee,” the report said, citing government response.