Mizoram Govt Defends Its Move to Extend Job of 29 Part-Time Assistant Professors Amid Student Protests

He added that these exemptions were clearly stated in the recruitment advertisements.

The Lalduhoma-led government in Mizoram is facing mounting pressure over its controversial decision to extend the services of 29 part-time Assistant Professors who do not meet the eligibility criteria laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Defending the move, State Education Minister Dr Vanlalthlana explained that the appointments were originally made with certain concessions due to a shortage of NET-qualified candidates at the time. He added that these exemptions were clearly stated in the recruitment advertisements.

Addressing public criticism, Dr Vanlalthlana clarified that new regulations introduced in 2017 prompted the government to provide the unqualified professors a final opportunity to meet UGC requirements. He noted that previous governments had granted such extensions up to seven times, whereas the current administration had only done so twice.

The Minister also revealed that the ongoing review includes three additional unqualified contractual employees—two at Mizoram Polytechnic, Lunglei, and one at Mizoram Law College. However, the latter had already been granted a compliance timeframe of 2021–2026 by the previous government, which the current administration is bound to respect.

The issue has sparked major backlash from the Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), which organised a protest involving around 1,500 college students earlier this week. The protest was triggered by a February 21, 2025 notification from the Higher & Technical Education Department, granting a one-year extension to the 29 Assistant Professors on “humanitarian grounds.”

MSU President B. Lalkhawngaihzuala voiced strong opposition, saying, “This repeated failure to comply with UGC norms means they are not qualified to teach in colleges. We have more than enough qualified candidates to fill these roles.”

Protesters marched to the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, demanding the immediate revocation of the extension. The MSU argued that the government’s decision undermines academic standards and compromises the future of higher education in the state.

Following the protest, Education Department officials informed the student leaders that show-cause notices had been issued to the 29 teachers on July 3. They have been given 15 days to respond, and the MSU has agreed to wait an additional five days for the government’s final decision.

“We are not against any individual,” an MSU spokesperson said, “but we cannot compromise the quality of education. The system must uphold merit and qualifications.”

The MSU has warned that further action will follow if the government fails to revoke the extensions and enforce UGC norms. The student body has also called on the state to ensure that only UGC-qualified candidates are appointed to teaching positions in the future, stressing the need to protect academic integrity across Mizoram’s higher education institutions.

COMMENTS

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment *

Name *

Email *

Website