The University Grants Commission has written to the registrars of all universities ordering them to enhance the compensation for guest faculty from ₹1000 per lecture to ₹1500 per lecture, making the salary ₹50,000 per month. The Higher Education regulator of the UGC said that during the 537th meeting of the commission held on December 10, 2018, this issue was raised and the discussion concluded upon raising the compensation for Guest Faculty in universities and colleges in accordance with the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission.
“However, for the universities where the sanctioned posts are not adequate as per the teaching working load, the number of Guest Faculty to be appointed can be up to 20% over and above the sanctioned posts,” the notification added.
It also notified that the qualification of the guest faculty should be equal to those of Assistant Professors of Universities and colleges.
“The Selection procedure for appointing Guest Faculty shall be the same as those of regularly appointed Assistant Professors,” it added.
It also notified that Guest Faculty will not be treated the same as the regular teachers, taking part in various statuary bodies of the university.
“The superannuated teachers may also be considered for engagement as Guest Faculty subject to a maximum age limit of 70 years,” it said.
It added that Guest Faculty will not be provided with the benefit of allowances, pension, gratuity, and leave etc.
“These guidelines will come into force with effect from the date of issue of this letter,” said the letter which was written on January 28, 2019.
“We are happy with the increase in total pay in a month though our demand was 65,000 per month for a teacher. But, the per lecture Honorarium should have been more,” said an office-bearer from a teacher organization.