NDTF flags delay in DU teachers' promotions, seeks implementation of UGC Regulations 2018

NEW DELHI: The National Democratic Teachers Front (NDTF) has urged statutory bodies of the University of Delhi to ensure the implementation of the UGC Regulations 2018 "in letter and spirit", alleging that restrictive interpretations of promotion norms are adversely affecting teachers' career advancement and academic stability.

In an open letter addressed to the chairperson and members of the university's Executive Council and Academic Council, NDTF president A K Bhagi expressed concern over what he described as growing obstacles in the promotion and appointment processes for teachers in university departments and colleges.

The teachers' body alleged that publications in established university, institutional and government journals were being rejected in promotion assessments, while undue preference was being given to private commercial indexing systems and journals.

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'Delays in promotions', flags teachers' group

According to the NDTF, such practices have resulted in delays in promotions and contributed to cases of NFS (not found suitable) in university departments. "The UGC Regulations 2018 had restored dignity to the teaching profession by making promotions smoother, faster and more accessible. Any attempt to dilute their spirit undermines teachers' rights and academic stability," Bhagi said in the letter.

Tracing the history of teachers' movements over the past six decades, the NDTF said successive struggles by teachers' organisations had led to reforms in promotion policies, including the introduction of career advancement mechanisms and easier pathways to professorships.

The organisation credited the implementation of the UGC Regulations 2018 with enabling thousands of promotions in Delhi University and introducing professorships in colleges as well as senior professorships in university departments.

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Restrictive approach towards promotions: NDTF

The NDTF also alleged that some university functionaries were promoting a restrictive approach towards promotions by questioning publications in peer-reviewed journals and treating cases involving allegedly cloned journals as deliberate misconduct by teachers.

While asserting that it does not support academic malpractice or fraudulent research, the organisation said genuine research work should not be disqualified due to issues beyond the control of individual teachers.

The teachers' body further claimed that procedural hurdles and delays in appointments and promotions risked undermining social justice, academic excellence and the dignity of the teaching profession.

It called upon the university's statutory bodies to ensure that promotion and appointment processes remain transparent, equitable, facilitative and teacher-friendly.

"The dignity of teachers, the credibility of the institution through social justice, and the stability of the academic environment depend significantly upon a promotion and appointment system that is transparent, fair and teacher-friendly," the letter stated.