6,251 teachers' posts vacant in central varsities: Irani

A total of 6,251 teachers' posts are lying vacant in the 39 central universities under the purview of the UGC, parliament was informed Wednesday.

Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said: "The total number of sanctioned teaching posts available in 39 central universities under the purview of the UGC (University Grants Commission) is 16,692, of which 6,251 posts are vacant."

Irani said subject to availability of vacant positions and fitness, teachers shall be re-employed on contract appointment beyond the age of 65 years and up to the age of 70 years.

"Re-employment beyond the age of superannuation shall, however, be done selectively, for a limited period of three years in the first instance and then for another further period of two years purely on the basis of merit, experience, area of specialisation and only against available vacant positions," she said.

Irani said a scheme called "Operation Faculty Recharge" has been initiated for augmenting the research and teaching resources of universities to tackle the shortage of faculty in the university system.