Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Jan 13: In the wake of rejection of candidature of a number of candidates with PhD degrees prior to July 2009, for the interviews of the post of Assistant Professor in Higher Education Department, the University of Jammu and University of Kashmir are all set to approach the J&K Public Service Commission for the postponement of ongoing interviews and holding up release of the final selection list till the issue surrounding PhD degree is resolved.
A formal request in this regard is likely to be made by both the universities jointly by tomorrow after an emergency meeting between Dean Academic Affairs and Dean Research Studies of JU and KU, official sources informed the Excelsior.
In the emergency meeting, which is going to be held tomorrow at JU, the officers of both the university will deliberate over the controversy surrounding PhD degrees prior to July 2009 and take a position over the same in the light of Supreme Court judgement of March 2015, sources added.
Officers of both the universities will discuss the status of their scholars, who have acquired PhD degrees prior to July 2009, before the UGC Minimum Standard for Awards of M Phil/PhD Degrees Regulations 2009 came into force, and decide the format of a common Performa, to be issued to such candidates in the light of SC judgement, so that there may be no controversy, sources explained.
Pertinent to mention that JKPSC has rejected the candidature of a number of candidates, who have acquired PhD degrees prior to July 2009, when the UGC Minimum Standard for Awards of M Phil/PhD Degrees Regulations 2009 came into force. The interviews are being conducted for the post of more than 1200 posts of Assistant Professors of different subjects in the Higher Education.
Meanwhile, the J&K Public Service Commission has clarified that irrespective of the university, the recruitment agency has rejected the eligibility of all candidates, who have acquired PhD degrees prior to coming into force of UGC Minimum Standard for Awards of M Phil/PhD degrees Regulations 2009.
“None of the candidates who has acquired PhD degree prior to July 2009, notwithstanding his area of domicile, has been allowed to appear in the interview,” the PSC spokesman said while rejecting the allegations that candidates from a particular region were rejected because of their Ph D degree prior to July 2009 while similarly situated candidates from other region were allowed to participate in the selection process.
The spokesman further clarified that only those candidates are eligible for appointment/selection against the posts of Assistant Professor who are having PG degrees in the relevant subject/discipline and have qualified NET, SLET or SET as laid down in the Recruitment Rules governing the service. “In respect of Ph D degree holders, the Recruitment Rules clearly mention that candidates having acquired Ph D degrees are exempted from the requirement of qualifying NET/SLET/SET provided they have acquired such degree in accordance with UGC Regulations of 2009. It is in this background notice dated: 05.01.2016 was issued by the Commission and none of the pre June-2009, Ph D awardees without NET/SET/SLET was called for/allowed to appear the interview,” the PSC spokesman added.
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