Editor,
The APPSC has adopted Appendix II, Table 3B of the UGC Regulations, 2018 for awarding academic scores in the Assistant Professor Examination, 2026. The UGC regulations provide 2 marks for every completed year of teaching/post-doctoral experience, subject to a maximum of 10 marks. Notably, the regulations use the expression ‘Teaching/post-doctoral experience’ and do not restrict such experience exclusively to government colleges or private colleges.
The UGC regulations are intended to maintain uniform standards in higher education across the country. Once a private college is recognised or affiliated to a recognised university and follows the prescribed UGC qualifications and academic standards, the teaching experience gained therein cannot be disregarded merely because the institution is privately managed.
RGU-affiliated private colleges contribute to the higher education system in the same manner as government colleges. Their faculty members perform teaching, examination, evaluation, curriculum implementation, and other academic responsibilities under the supervision of the affiliating university. Therefore, if the institution and appointment satisfy the applicable UGC norms and the experience is duly verified, there is no rational basis to deny marks solely on the ground that the employer is a private institution.
Excluding teaching experience from recognised private colleges, while granting marks for identical teaching duties performed in government institutions, results in unequal treatment of similarly situated candidates. Such a distinction may be inconsistent with Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India, which guarantee equality before law and equal opportunity in public employment.
The Supreme Court has consistently held that arbitrariness is antithetical to equality. Any classification must have an intelligible differentia and a rational nexus with the object sought to be achieved. When teachers possess identical UGC qualifications, teach the same curriculum, and serve recognised institutions, denial of marks solely because of the management of the institution lacks a reasonable basis.
In view of the above, we respectfully request the commission to:
- Recognise teaching experience gained in recognised private colleges affiliated to recognised universities, subject to verification of authenticity.
- Award marks under Appendix II, Table 3B of the UGC Regulations, 2018 without discrimination between government and recognised private institutions.
- Ensure that the selection process remains consistent with the principles of fairness, equality, transparency, and merit.
Teaching experience in permanently affiliated private colleges of Rajiv Gandhi University deserves equal recognition under Appendix II, Table 3B of the UGC Regulations, 2018, as these institutions are duly affiliated to the university and function under its academic regulations, curriculum, examination system, and quality assurance framework.
Concerned candidates