The Tripura NET-SLET-Ph.D Forum has called on the state government to regularize UGC-qualified guest lecturers and address the acute faculty shortage in higher education institutions. During a press conference organized by its branch, the Tripura Guest Lecturer Association, forum members highlighted the challenges faced by guest lecturers despite holding advanced qualifications such as NET, SLET, or Ph.D.
Acting President Bishwajit Barman, General Secretary Suman Ali, and Convener Dr. Siddhartha Shankar Deb stressed that guest lecturers bear the bulk of academic responsibilities due to the lack of permanent faculty. However, they endure job insecurity, delayed salaries, and meager remuneration. The forum revealed that current pay is Rs 500 per lecture, capped at Rs 20,000 monthly—far below the UGC-prescribed Rs 1,500 per lecture, capped at Rs 50,000 per month.
The speakers emphasized that the state has only 388 permanent professors against the UGC-mandated 2,100, severely affecting education quality. Over 15,000 students have failed in recent years due to the faculty crisis. The forum urged the government to ensure fair pay, job security, and adherence to UGC norms, emphasizing the need to uplift the state’s declining higher education standards.
