Haryana Government Moves to Draft Service Security Bill for Contractual University Professors
In a significant development for higher education in the state, Haryana Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda has announced that the government is actively considering the preparation of a draft 'Service Security Bill' aimed at professors working on a contractual basis in state universities. This initiative seeks to address long-standing concerns over job insecurity among academic staff.
Background and Legislative Context
The announcement came during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly, where Minister Dhanda responded to questions raised by two MLAs. He informed the House that the education department has received persistent representations from key teacher associations, including the Haryana Universities Contractual Teachers Association (HUCTA) and the Haryana Universities Part-Time Teachers Association (HUPTTA). These groups have been advocating for the enactment of a law similar to the 2024 Service Security Ordinance, which would provide service security to teachers up to the age of 60 years.
Taking these demands seriously, the state government has initiated a series of steps to explore the feasibility and implementation of such legislation. Minister Dhanda emphasized that consultations are currently underway with other concerned departments to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Formation of a High-Level Committee
To delve deeper into the issue, a committee was constituted with the approval of the Chief Minister. This committee is chaired by the Vice-Chancellor of Maharshi Dayanand University in Rohtak, with members including:
- The Registrar of Maharshi Dayanand University
- The Registrar of Gurugram University
- The Dean of Academic Affairs at Kurukshetra University
The committee's primary responsibility is to prepare a detailed report covering all aspects related to the service security of contractual and part-time teachers. This includes examining existing policies, assessing financial implications, and proposing legal frameworks.
Progress and Recent Developments
After the committee submitted its initial report, the matter was forwarded back to the Chief Minister for further consideration. Subsequently, on July 29, 2025, a crucial meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to deliberate on the issue. Following extensive discussions, it was decided that comprehensive data on the entire academic staff working in state universities should be collected in a prescribed format.
In line with this decision, the Directorate of Higher Education issued a letter to all state universities on July 30, 2025, requesting the necessary information. The data received from these institutions has since been compiled, and a complete report has been forwarded to the Chief Minister for further action.
Implications and Future Steps
The proposed Service Security Bill represents a potential landmark shift in the employment conditions for contractual professors in Haryana. If enacted, it could provide:
- Enhanced job stability and security up to the age of 60
- Improved working conditions and benefits
- A more structured career path for academic professionals
Minister Dhanda reiterated the government's commitment to addressing the concerns of contractual teachers, stating that the draft bill is a priority in the state's educational reforms. The next steps involve analyzing the compiled data, refining the draft legislation based on committee recommendations, and potentially introducing the bill in the legislative assembly for debate and approval.
This move aligns with broader trends in Indian higher education, where there is increasing focus on improving the welfare of academic staff, particularly those in non-permanent positions. Stakeholders, including teacher associations and university administrations, are closely monitoring the developments, hopeful for a positive outcome that balances institutional needs with faculty rights.
