Self-financing college teachers in Calicut varsity up in arms against circular

Appointment of faculty members in self-financing colleges affiliated with the University of Calicut (CU) is again turning out to be a thorny issue, with the authorities issuing a circular saying only those with a PhD or those who have cleared the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) should be appointed to the posts.

Of the 400-odd colleges affiliated with the university, over 200 are in the self-financing sector. More than one lakh students are pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in these institutions. The latest move is expected to affect thousands of faculty members, who may lose their jobs from the next academic year. Though the university had taken a similar decision in April 2025, the Syndicate decided to freeze it following protests.

The latest circular, issued by Registrar Denoj Sebastian on February 9, follows a direction from the office of Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, also the Chancellor of the university, to the Vice-Chancellor (V-C). The circular says that the qualifications mandated in the UGC regulations should be strictly followed while appointing faculty members in all affiliated institutions. Along with this, their details should be uploaded onto the web portals of these colleges. Any violation of these instructions will be seriously dealt with, the circular adds.

However, associations representing self-financing college staff criticised the move. In a statement, the pro-Left Self-Financing College Teachers and Staff Association (SFCTSA) said that a large number of teachers in these colleges were appointed years ago. The association said that the Assembly had passed a law in 2021 saying these teachers should be given enough time to clear the UGC-NET or get a PhD. The then Governor had cleared the legislation as well. The SFCTSA also pointed out that though the recent circular highlighted the UGC-mandated qualifications, it was silent on ensuring the salary stipulated by the Central agency for the teachers. Most universities were not providing facilities for the staff to get PhDs, the association added.

Another collective of self-financing college teachers submitted a memorandum to the V-C on Monday (February 16) seeking at least five years for the existing staff to get the required qualifications. The collective said that sudden official action could lead to many faculty members losing their source of livelihood. Both organisations demanded that the circular be put on hold.