A significant inconsistency in adhering to national and state regulations has surfaced across universities in Bihar, creating an unfair environment for newly appointed assistant professors. Despite clear mandates from the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the state government, there is no uniform rule being followed for confirming the services of these teachers after their probation period.
UGC and State Government Rules Clearly Defined
The University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations of 2010 and 2018 explicitly state that confirmation of service for teachers appointed by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) or the Bihar State University Service Commission (BSUSC) should occur after one year of probation. The rules allow for an extension of probation by a maximum of one additional year only if an assistant professor's performance is found unsatisfactory.
Reinforcing this directive, the Bihar state government issued a notification on February 5, 2025, which also mandates that assistant professors appointed by the commission shall be confirmed after completing one year of probation.
Arbitrary Implementation by Universities
In stark contrast to these established guidelines, universities in Bihar are applying the confirmation rule arbitrarily, leading to a patchwork of policies that disadvantage many educators. This lack of uniformity has sparked concern among the teaching community.
Some universities, like Veer Kunwar Singh University, Magadh University, and B R A Bihar University, comply with the one-year probation norm. However, a significant number of other institutions have been enforcing a two-year probation period before confirmation.
The universities identified as following the two-year rule include:
- Patna University
- Patliputra University
- Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University
- Purnia University
- Munger University
- L N Mithila University
- KSD Sanskrit University
- B N Mandal University
- Jaya Prakash University
Teachers' Body Appeals for Chancellor's Intervention
Expressing deep concern over this discriminatory practice, the Federation of University Teachers' Associations of Bihar (FUTAB) has stepped in to demand uniformity and justice. The association has formally sought the intervention of the Chancellor of Bihar Universities to end this unfair system.
FUTAB working president Kanhaiya Bahadur Sinha and general secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh have jointly appealed to the chancellor. They have urged him to direct all universities to adhere to the UGC and state government notification. Their appeal emphasizes that the service of newly appointed assistant professors should be confirmed after one year of probation, provided their performance during this period is satisfactory.
This arbitrary delay in confirmation not only affects job security and morale but also creates an unequal professional landscape within the same state's higher education system. The call for intervention highlights the need for administrative consistency to uphold the rights and ensure fair treatment for all educators in Bihar.
