Editor,

The ongoing discussion surrounding the awarding of marks for teaching experience in the Assistant Professor Examination (APE)-2026 deserves careful attention. Since the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) has adopted Appendix II, Table 3B of the UGC Regulations, 2018 for academic scoring, its implementation should remain faithful to the intent of the UGC Regulations.

The regulations assign 2 marks for every completed year of teaching or post-doctoral experience, up to a maximum of 10 marks. Importantly, the expression used is simply ‘Teaching/post-doctoral experience’. The regulations do not distinguish between teaching experience acquired in government institutions and that obtained in permanently affiliated private colleges recognised by a university.

Private colleges permanently affiliated with Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) are integral components of the higher education ecosystem of Arunachal Pradesh. They follow the curriculum prescribed by the university, adhere to UGC norms, conduct teaching under the university’s academic framework, participate in university examinations, and contribute to the development of higher education in the state. Faculty members in these institutions perform the same academic responsibilities as their counterparts in government colleges.

In the interest of fairness, transparency, and merit, it is hoped that the commission will interpret Appendix II, Table 3B in its true spirit by recognising verified teaching experience from permanently affiliated private colleges of RGU on par with experience from government institutions. Such an approach would uphold the objectives of the UGC Regulations while ensuring equal treatment of all deserving candidates.

It appears that the commission has adopted only a part of Appendix II, Table 3B of the UGC Regulations, 2018 for awarding academic scores, while overlooking the provision relating to teaching experience gained in permanently affiliated private colleges under RGU. Furthermore, if the commission intends to shortlist candidates for the interview in a 1:3 ratio, as indicated in the advertisement, excluding such eligible teaching experience may adversely affect the fairness and comprehensiveness of the academic evaluation.

We, the permanent faculty members of private colleges affiliated with RGU, earnestly request the commission to recognise and award marks for our teaching experience in the upcoming recruitment of assistant professors for government colleges in Arunachal, in accordance with the applicable UGC Regulations.

Concerned aspirants