Over 7,000 Vacancies In Central Universities

New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) Despite repeated directions, some 7,000 teaching and non-teaching posts remain vacant in 25 central universities, Parliament was informed today.

The information was furnished by Minister of State for Human Resource Development D Purandeswari in a written reply in Lok Sabha.

She said the University Grants Commission has been directing central universities to fill up their vacant posts and has also been reminding universities of State governments to do the same.

The Commission stresses filling up posts on regular basis as per norms, since hiring faculty as contract, part time or guest teachers may affect the quality of education, she said.

Despite that, 1,820 teaching posts and 5,067 non-teaching posts were ''lying vacant'' in central universities, and 627 teaching posts in 74 State Universities, the HRD Minister said.

India has 415 Universities or equivalent Institutions and 6,680 colleges.

''There are 1,820 teaching posts and 5,067 non-teaching posts lying vacant in Central Universities as on 31.3.2007 and 627 teaching posts lying vacant in 74 State Universities as on 1.5.2007,'' the Minister was stated to have said.

The Centre has raised teachers' retirement age to 65 years-- from 62-- in centrally-funded technical and higher educational institutions to overcome shortage of experienced teachers and has urged State governments to take similar steps.

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