New Delhi, July 25: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) categories, who have secured at least 50% marks (without rounding off) in Master’s degree or equivalent examination from universities/ institutions, recognized by the UGC, are eligible for appearing in the National Eligibility Test (NET).
The UGC (Minimum qualifications for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education) (4th Amendment), Regulations, 2016 prescribe 5% relaxation in minimum eligibility marks of 55% marks for candidates belonging to SC, ST and OBC categories for direct recruitment to teaching positions.
The Department of Personnel & Training (DOPT) has informed that in order to increase the representation of SC/ST/OBC communities in posts and services under the Central Government, various concessions/ relaxations are provided in direct recruitment, apart from prescribing reservations for candidates belonging to these categories. For SC/ST candidates, in case of promotion by selection, the zone of consideration is extended up to five times the number of vacancies. In case suitable candidates are not available within the normal zone of consideration for filling up of reserved vacancies, minimum qualifying marks/standards of evaluations are relaxable. Also, in such cases, the upper age limit is relaxable by five years where upper age limit for promotion is prescribed not more than 50 years. The DOPT has further informed that in case of direct recruitment, OBCs get a relaxation of three years in the upper age limit. There is a ban on de-reservation of reserved vacancies of SC, ST and OBC in direct recruitment. The limit of 50% of reservation does not apply while filling up of backlog reserved vacancies for SCs, STs and OBCs. The DOPT has also informed that special recruitment drives have been held to fill up backlog reserved vacancies for SCs, STs and OBCs.
The UGC has issued instructions from time to time to all the Universities/Institutions Deemed to be Universities (receiving grant-in-aid from the public fund) for (i) implementation of SC/ST/OBC reservation policy (ii) display of reservation roster on University website and (iii) filling up of remaining identified backlog vacancies of these categories in teaching and non-teaching posts.
In accordance with article 15(4) of the Constitution, the Central Educational Institutions (CEIs) (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 stipulates reservation in admissions for the SC/ST/OBCs in each branch of study or faculty in certain CEIs as prescribed under the Act.
The Ministry of Culture has informed that the Government policies relating to recruitment of candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC categories are being adhered to while filling up the vacant posts in various institutions.
This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar today in a written reply to a Lok Sabha question.
