Editor,

I wish to draw the attention of the authorities and the public to the persistent challenges faced by the guest faculty members and teaching assistants of Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), Doimukh, a central university entrusted with shaping the future of higher education in Arunachal Pradesh.

While RGU is often celebrated as a centre of excellence, the experiences of many contractual teaching staffers reveal a different reality – one marked by delayed salaries, inadequate remuneration, excessive workload, and limited institutional recognition.

One of the most pressing concerns is the irregular disbursement of salaries. Monthly remuneration is frequently delayed well beyond the expected payment schedule. For instance, salaries for September are often released only after the 20th of October, despite employees relying on these earnings to meet basic living expenses. Such delays create unnecessary financial uncertainty, particularly for teaching assistants and guest faculty members who have no alternative source of income. Many are supporting families, while others have relocated from different districts and states and continue to bear the burden of rent, food, and transportation expenses. Timely payment is not merely an administrative obligation; it is a matter of dignity and economic security.

Equally concerning is the manner in which remuneration is calculated. Guest faculty members and teaching assistants are paid primarily based on the number of classroom lectures they deliver, while a substantial portion of their actual responsibilities remains unrecognised. Beyond teaching, they mentor students, supervise internships, guide dissertation and project work, conduct tutorial sessions, provide academic counselling, assist with examinations, prepare attendance records, enter marks, process departmental documentation, and support numerous administrative functions essential to the smooth operation of their respective department. Previous representations submitted to the university administration have similarly highlighted these extensive academic and administrative responsibilities. Yet, these contributions receive little or no financial acknowledgement.

Teaching assistants have become one of the pillars sustaining undergraduate education (Institute of Undergraduate Studies)-IUGS at RGU. With increasing student enrolment and expanding academic responsibilities, they shoulder a significant share of teaching and student support. Many departments depend heavily on their dedication to maintain regular academic activities. However, despite serving as the operational backbone of undergraduate education, they continue to remain largely invisible in institutional policies and decision-making. Their commitment is acknowledged informally within departments but rarely translated into fair employment practices.

The situation becomes even more difficult during examination and summer internship periods under UG programme when 5th semester students are having their summer internship. Although teaching assistants continue supervising internships, mentoring students, providing academic counselling, and assisting departments throughout these months, remuneration is often drastically reduced because regular classroom teaching decreases. In May 2026, several teaching assistants reportedly received only a fraction of their usual remuneration despite remaining actively engaged in academic responsibilities. This contrasts sharply with the previous academic session, during which full remuneration was provided during comparable periods.

Such inconsistency creates confusion, financial distress, and a sense of insecurity among contractual academic staffers.

Another concern is the widening disparity between RGU and comparable institutions. Universities across India increasingly recognise the importance of guest faculty members and teaching assistants through fixed monthly remuneration and improved service conditions. Even within Arunachal Pradesh, state government guest faculty members receive comparatively better remuneration and more regular salary disbursement. It is unfortunate that a central university, expected to set standards of academic excellence and administrative fairness, struggles to provide basic financial stability to the very educators who contribute significantly to undergraduate teaching.

What is perhaps most disheartening is that these issues are not new. Teaching assistants have repeatedly submitted representations through proper administrative channels, requesting fair remuneration, payment for the full semester including examination months, and recognition of their broader academic responsibilities. Despite these sincere appeals, meaningful policy changes remain elusive. Silence in the face of repeated concerns risks lowering morale and sends an unfortunate message to young academics committed to serving higher education.

This letter is not intended to undermine the reputation of Rajiv Gandhi University. On the contrary, it is written with the hope that the university will continue to uphold the values expected of a premier central university. Ensuring timely salaries, recognising the full scope of guest faculty members and teaching assistants’ responsibilities, providing equitable remuneration, and establishing transparent employment policies would not only improve the welfare of contractual educators but also strengthen the quality of education delivered to thousands of postgraduate and undergraduate students.

Higher education thrives because of the dedication of its teachers. When those who educate, mentor, and guide students work under persistent financial uncertainty and institutional neglect, the consequences extend beyond individual hardship; they affect the entire academic community. A university’s commitment to excellence must be reflected not only in its rankings and achievements but also in the way it treats the educators who sustain it every day.

It is hoped that the university authorities will give these longstanding concerns the attention they deserve and initiate constructive measures that uphold fairness, dignity, and academic integrity.

A concerned guest faculty member,

RGU, Rono Hills, Doimukh