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AIIMS, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, is considering a proposal to eliminate interviews from the PhD selection process. The aim is to introduce greater transparency by making the selection based solely on a written exam. In addition, AIIMS plans to establish 40-50 PhD Institute Fellowships, similar to the Prime Minister’s Research Fellows scheme, to promote impactful research. To fund this initiative, a budget of Rs 200 crore has been proposed, pending approval from AIIMS and the Government of India’s statutory committees. The suggested reforms for the PhD selection process and Institute Fellowship were put forth by AIIMS administration. During discussions with faculty, PhD students, and scientists, it became evident that reforming the selection process and introducing an in-house funding mechanism were crucial for fostering high-quality research and improving AIIMS’ NIRF rankings in research. According to the proposal, the selection process should be objective, transparent, and rely on a written examination consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and objective structured clinical examination/objective structured practical examination (OSCE/OSPE). Interviews would be eliminated at all stages of the selection process. The memorandum also recommends conducting the PhD entrance examination twice a year, along with the DM/MCh entrance examination, at various centers across the country. The academic section has been instructed to examine the proposal and initiate further discussions in the Staff Council, Academic Committee, and Standing Finance Committee to facilitate the timely implementation of these proposed reforms.

The Ministry of Education is currently accepting nominations for the National Award to Teachers 2023, which recognizes outstanding educators in higher education. Interested individuals can apply for the award by visiting the official website, nat.aicte-india.org. The application deadline is July 30, 2023, and all applications must be submitted online through the designated portal. To apply for the award, follow these steps: Visit the official website, nat.aicte-india.org. Click on the ‘register’ or ‘login’ options located in the top right corner of the homepage. Fill in the necessary details to register and then proceed to login. Complete the registration form and submit it along with the required documents. After submitting the registration form, download a copy for future reference. Nominations invited for National Award to Teachers 2023 Categories 1. Vocational Training & Entrepreneurship Development 2. Higher Education Institutions Share achievements(800 words max) Details: https://t.co/omW8dwKCPk, https://t.co/pqvqgrESqI @PMOIndia @AICTE_INDIA pic.twitter.com/0pzSl3DvBK — UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) July 7, 2023 It is important to note that incomplete applications will be rejected, and the authorities will not entertain any communication regarding such cases. The National Award to Teachers 2023 has two categories: vocational training (ITI/Polytechnic/NSTI/PMKVY institutions) and entrepreneurship development, as well as higher education institutions. In addition to the application, teachers must also submit a ‘citation’ detailing their significant accomplishments within 800 words. Remember to visit the official website and follow the instructions carefully to ensure a successful application.  

Following the release of revised minimum criteria for the direct recruitment of assistant professors in universities and colleges on July 5, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a clarification on the matter. UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar took to Twitter to provide the necessary clarification. He stated that candidates with a Master’s degree must have qualified UGC-NET/SLET/SET for direct recruitment as an Assistant Professor. On the other hand, candidates with a PhD degree, awarded as per UGC Regulations, are exempt from UGC-NET/SLET/SET and eligible for direct recruitment to the position of Assistant Professor. After removing the mandatory criteria of Ph.D. for direct recruitment at the Assistant Professor level, the detailed eligibility criteria given in UGC minimum qualifications regulations 2018 will remain as they are making the following two criteria applicable: — Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) July 6, 2023 Kumar also mentioned that higher educational institutions have the flexibility to determine suitable criteria for Assistant Professor appointments based on the number of applications received in a specific discipline, as per the regulations provided. The UGC had previously issued a notification stating that NET/SET/SLET would be the minimum criteria for direct recruitment to the position of Assistant Professor in all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Furthermore, the UGC Chairperson tweeted that from July 1 onwards, a PhD qualification for Assistant Professor appointments would be optional. In the clarification provided by the UGC, it was mentioned that the general condition clause no. 3.10 has been amended, making PhD qualification mandatory from July 1, 2023. However, the detailed eligibility criteria for various disciplines remain unchanged, clearly stating that NET/SLET/SET is the minimum requirement for direct recruitment as an Assistant Professor for candidates without a PhD degree. Additionally, the UGC confirmed that PhD holders are exempted from NET/SLET/SET and are eligible for direct recruitment to the position of Assistant Professor.