Bihar Moves to Implement Written Test for Assistant Professor Recruitment
The Bihar State University Service Commission (BSUSC) is poised to introduce a written examination as part of the appointment process for assistant professors across state universities. This significant reform, aimed at enhancing the selection criteria, is currently under review by a statute committee, with a final decision expected soon.
Statute Committee Meeting and Key Stakeholders
A crucial meeting of the eight-member statute committee, constituted by Governor-cum-Chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan, was held at Lok Bhavan on Thursday. Chaired by Jaya Prakash University-Chhapra Vice-Chancellor Parmendra Kumar Bajpai, the gathering included vice-chancellors from B N Mandal University-Madhepura, B R A Bihar University-Muzaffarpur, Purnea University-Purnia, Chanakya National Law University, the director of IIT-Patna, the chairman of BSUSC, and the director of higher education. The committee is working to finalize a statute that incorporates a written test alongside the traditional interview for assistant professor appointments.
Proposal and Eligibility Criteria
The chancellor's secretariat received a proposal from the state education department to frame a statute for introducing a state-level written test. According to sources, only applicants meeting the minimum University Grants Commission (UGC) requirements will be eligible to take the test. Notably, even NET-qualified candidates and PhD degree holders will be required to appear for this examination, ensuring a standardized evaluation process.
Vacancies and Recruitment Timeline
Once the revised statute is approved, the BSUSC is expected to advertise nearly 5,000 assistant professor vacancies. The state education department has already instructed all universities to submit comprehensive lists of vacant teaching posts, cleared through the reservation roster. While some universities have provided this data, others are still calculating subject-wise vacancies and obtaining necessary approvals.
In a previous recruitment drive in September 2020, the BSUSC advertised 4,638 assistant professor positions across 52 subjects in 13 conventional universities. Over the past five years, most appointments have been completed, except in some subjects due to ongoing litigation.
Broader Implications for Higher Education
This move is part of a larger effort to revitalize faculty recruitment in Bihar. Sources indicate that universities may also see direct recruitment for associate professors and professors after a prolonged period. For decades, promotions to superior posts have primarily occurred through time-bound and merit promotion statutes, as well as career advancement schemes. Under the new statutes, an assistant professor could become an associate professor after eight years of service and a professor after ten years, provided they demonstrate academic competence.
The next meeting of the statute committee is scheduled for February 25, where a final decision on the written test provision is likely to be taken, marking a pivotal step in Bihar's higher education reforms.
