Dr Vikas Sharma
The superannuation age of the Professors of erstwhile State universities of J&K namely SKUAST-Jammu, SKUAST-Kashmir, University of Jammu and University of Kashmir was enhanced from 62 to 65 years in the year 2023 with the provision of review system by the Committee headed by Chief Secretary with Vice-Chancellor of the concerned University, Administrative Secretary Higher Education Department and other members from J&K Government, for initial year extension, followed by subsequent reviews for grant of further yearly enhancement by the Vice Chancellors of the respective Universities.
This review system of teachers at initial stage as well as subsequent stages of the review, resulting in humiliation, anguish and frustration amongst the Professor fraternity. There should be unconditional 65 years retirement age of University Professors without any review and riders, thus, bringing uniqueness in superannuation age of all the universities of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The review system for a Professor, who served the Institution for decades in the capacity of Dean, Director and even I/c Vice Chancellor, is not acceptable on the following grounds:
UGC / MHRD Guidelines 2018: UGC Regulations 2018 have already fixed the age of superannuation in case of University teachers at 65, without any condition. The erstwhile State universities, from time to time, has been following the recommendations of the University Grant Commission and other guidelines issued by MHRD with respect to the revision of the pays scales, service conditions and CAS of the teachers. The JK Universities has adopted the Annual Performance Indicators (API) and PBAS based UGC regulations on “Minimum Qualification for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in the Universities and Measures for the Maintenance of Standard in Higher Education” On one side, all the recommendations of the UGC related to appointment and CAS of teachers has been adopted by the Universities and on the other side, a rider has been put to enhance the age of the superannuation of the Professors from 62 to 65 years, in only erstwhile State Universities of J&K.
Uniformity in superannuation age of all the universities of Union Territory of J&K: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra already enhanced the retirement age of teachers to 65 years in 2018 without any review system. The Central Universities of Jammu & Kashmir have 65 years as age of superannuation without any rider. Thus, this review system in erstwhile State universities is creating discrepancy with respect to age of superannuation of Professors of Universities existing within the same Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, hence, should be removed for better teaching and research outputs.
Drifting of Professors to Central Universities: In all Central Universities across India, the superannuation age of Professors is 65 years without any rider, due to which Professors of State Universities are drifting away and joining teaching positions at the Central Universities and thus putting these State Universities at a disadvantage and depriving them of experienced human resource, besides adversely impacting upon the teaching and research work.
Lack of candidates with the prescribed experience: There is always a dearth of experienced faculty at the level of Professor & equivalents in the Universities. The posts remain vacant due to non-availability of the candidates with the prescribed experience / requirement for the post. To overcome the shortage of experienced Professors in the University, it is also imperative to enhance the retirement age of the experienced teachers / scientists from 62 to 65 years unconditional, for utilizing their expertise in long term solution of the problems related to the research and academics.
Recruitment at the age of 28 to 35 years: The recruitment in universities for teaching positions is being made in the age group of 28 to 35 years, due to the mandatory requirement of Ph.D and NET, which require considerable time after completion of post-graduation. Mostly, the teachers at the verge of retirement are well experienced and contributing immensely towards research / teaching / extension, as such their potential to the maximum extent can be utilized and will be beneficial to the student community /farmers, therefore, their age of superannuation from 62 to 65 years should be enhanced without any examination.
All benefits as applicable to Central Govt. Employees: The erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir has been reorganized into Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh with the extension of all the benefits to the employees of J&K as applicable to the other employees of Union Territories / Central Govt. The age of superannuation of University teachers falling under Union Territories as well as Central Universities has already been enhanced to 65 years without any rider. As such, the age of superannuation for teachers / scientists of Universities lying in UT of Jammu & Kashmir may also be considered at par with them.
National Education Policy: In view of implementation of National Education Policy, an increase in retirement age of Professors without any review process will greatly support skilled / learned manpower and create a progressive atmosphere where senior faculty can contribute to sustain the New Education Policy.
Vibrant economy of Jammu and Kashmir: India’s goal to become global scientific leader cannot be achieved unless and until younger scholars / students will gain from the experience and wisdom of seasoned and experienced scientists. An increase in retirement age of Professors with dignity will greatly support qualified scientists to remain active and to contribute to vibrant economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
In the light of the above observations, SKUAST-Teaching Association Jammu (SKUAST-TAJ) is of the considered view that in order to make the scientific and academic environment more responding and sustainable, the enhancement in retirement age from 62 to 65 years of Professors of erstwhile State universities of J&K, without any condition, will be a positive and contributing step towards taking Indian science to the global platform besides strengthening Indian Economy as well.
(The author is President Teaching Association, SKUAST-Jammu )
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