UGC qualification norms may cost 859 self-financing teachers their jobs in Kerala’s Kannur University

Several thousand teachers working in self-financing colleges under Kannur University may lose their jobs following Chancellor and Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s directive to strictly enforce University Grants Commission (UGC) qualification norms for teaching appointments.

Of the 1,479 teachers employed in 99 self-financing colleges affiliated with Kannur University, only 620 possess the qualification prescribed by the UGC. The remaining 859 teachers do not meet the eligibility criteria and could face removal if the norms are implemented without relaxation. The UGC stipulates that assistant professors must possess either a PhD or have qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET).

Acting on the Chancellor’s instruction, the Vice-Chancellor had issued an order in February stating that all teachers, including Principals, must meet the prescribed qualifications. Colleges failing to comply would not be granted a provisional affiliation for the 2026-27 academic year. However, colleges may obtain provisional affiliation if they submit affidavits assuring the university that qualified teachers will be appointed before the completion of the current admission process. Only institutions providing such undertakings will be permitted to admit students. If, after admissions are complete, teachers are found to be unqualified, the colleges risk losing their affiliation.

The issue gained renewed attention after the Governor, during his visit to Kannur University on Monday (June 1, 2026), reiterated his stand on enforcing teacher qualification norms, dimming hopes of any relaxation this academic year.

‘Will create a crisis’

M.J. Mathew, Kannur University Senate member and the Principal of Devamatha Arts and Science College, Paisakary, opined that the move to strictly enforce UGC eligibility norms in colleges under the university will result in the removal of more than a thousand teachers, severely affect admissions, and create a crisis in higher education.

Mr. Mathew said that many teachers with post-graduate qualification but without NET have been serving for 22 to 25 years. He pointed out that although self-financing colleges were affiliated to the university through an ordinance, detail statutes governing service conditions and recruitment norms have not been formally incorporated into university regulations. He said the university stipulated having 25% NET-qualified faculty in colleges last year, and is now insisting on 100%. This abrupt transition causes severe hardship, he added.

Kannur University is currently the only university in Kerala reportedly insisting on full compliance with the qualification norms for continuation of affiliation. Similar measures have not been implemented by universities such as University of Calicut, Mahatma Gandhi University and University of Kerala.

‘Difficult to replace’

Mr. Mathew noted that qualified NET candidates are not available in several disciplines, making immediate replacement difficult. Even aided and government colleges often appoint guest lecturers when qualified candidates are unavailable.

He proposed that teachers appointed before the 2018 UGC regulation be granted exemption while those appointed after 2018 be given a reasonable period to acquire NET or PhD qualification. Future appointments can be restricted strictly to candidates meeting UGC norms, Mr. Mathew added.

According to M.P.A Raheem, State president of the Self-Financing Colleges Management Association, similar enforcement of the Governor’s directive across universities in Kerala could affect nearly 18,000 teachers working in self-financing colleges under various universities.

He said around 7,500 teachers each in Calicut University and Mahatma Gandhi University could be affected if the norms are strictly implemented.

Mr. Raheem said the association had demanded concessions for teachers who have been serving in self-financing colleges for many years. It has sought protection for teachers appointed before 2018 and requested additional time for those recruited from 2018 onwards to acquire the required qualification. However, Kannur University insisting the norms will lead to the closure of colleges; this will be strongly challenged, he added.

Shino P. Jose, convenor of Senators’ Forum, said maintaining qualifications in accordance with UGC regulations is essential in higher education to uphold the necessary standards; however, it is crucial to prevent sudden job losses, he added. “Allowing teachers a minimum of two years to obtain the required qualifications would be reasonable,” Mr. Jose said.

Norms must be enforced: V-C

Kannur University Vice-Chancellor K.K. Saju has defended the enforcement of UGC qualification norms, stating that institutions are responsible for appointing qualified teachers and the university cannot grant affiliation without verifying faculty credentials.

He said students had complained about unqualified teachers and argued that colleges lacking qualified staff and adequate facilities cannot expect the university to compromise academic standards. According to him, nearly 60% of seats remain vacant in many institutions, while colleges with qualified faculty and better facilities continue to attract students and achieve better academic results.

The V-C said arts and science colleges are regulated by universities through the affiliation process, which requires approval of complete staff profiles. He alleged that admissions were previously allowed before affiliation procedures were completed, a practice he insisted must end.

He noted that teachers without required qualifications had been given several years to comply and said the university is bound by Chancellor and government orders mandating UGC norms.