No new notification likely soon for assistant professor posts in Telangana universities

Hyderabad: Aspirants hoping for a new round of assistant professor recruitment in Telangana’s universities may have to wait longer than expected. Government insiders suggest that no immediate notification is on the horizon due to the long-standing issue surrounding contract faculty appointments.

Twelve state universities currently employ hundreds of teaching staff on a contractual basis—some for several years. Officials indicate that unless their concerns are addressed, there will be no recruitment against vacant assistant professor positions. The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) has reportedly calculated that accommodating the demands of contract lecturers would significantly reduce the number of posts open to fresh applicants.

At present, approximately 869 contract faculty members are serving in various institutions across the state. The government is said to be exploring options to provide them with job security, which could include extending their tenure until the age of 65. Based on this, a 45-year-old lecturer would continue for another two decades, while those aged 50 and 55 would remain in service for 15 and 10 years respectively.

As per the government’s existing GO 21, even if a new notification is issued, the number of available posts would sharply drop. The TSCHE has already submitted a report to the government recommending that the notification reflect this adjustment.

Out of the 1,588 sanctioned assistant professor posts across state universities, 1,121 are currently vacant. However, if the government honours its commitment to contract lecturers, only 402 of those will remain available for recruitment—these will be listed as ‘clear vacancies’. A majority of these are expected to be in Osmania University.

PhD holders who are unemployed have voiced frustration, pointing out that the significantly reduced number of positions leaves them with slim prospects. Sources say the government, caught between competing demands, is now considering delaying the issuance of any new notification altogether.