Following a prolonged 21-day protest, PhD researchers and guest faculty members in Bihar have officially withdrawn their agitation. Officials confirmed that the decision came on Monday after a successful consensus was reached with Governor Syed Ata Hasnain.
Talks at Lok Bhawan Lead to Breakthrough
As reported by PTI, the resolution was achieved after a comprehensive two-hour dialogue at Lok Bhawan. The talks took place between the governor and a six-member delegation representing the All PhD Holders and Research Association.
This development marks the end of an ongoing protest that began on August 4. It also concludes the hunger strike initiated by protester Kumud Patel, who had been fasting since the agitation commenced. According to a statement issued by the Governor’s secretariat, the demonstrators agreed to halt their hunger strike following the meeting, having received assurances that their grievances were actively being considered.
Core Demands of the Agitators
The protesting academics presented a series of critical requirements. Chief among these is the enforcement of UGC Regulation 2018, Table 3A, concerning the hiring of Assistant Professors. Additionally, they are seeking to elevate the maximum age limit for applicants to 55 years.
Other primary requests encompass the regularisation of Assistant Professor appointments across universities in Bihar and the formal implementation of a domicile policy.
Addressing these concerns, the official statement noted: “The Statutes for Appointment of Assistant Professors, 2026 will remain in abeyance until necessary amendments are made after considering the association’s major demands”.
Expert Panel to Review Grievances Within 15 Days
Following discussions with Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, the statement indicated that the governor will establish a dedicated committee. This panel, which will be composed of prominent educationists from Bihar alongside administrators with experience in the education sector, is tasked with evaluating the protestors’ demands within a 15-day timeframe.
The newly formed committee will deliberate on restoring the maximum age limit for assistant professors to 55 years. Furthermore, it will consider the introduction of an objective written examination, where a final merit list would be formulated by combining written-test marks and API scores.
Proposed Changes to API Calculations and Guest Faculty Rules
The review panel will also contemplate modifications related to API calculation. The evaluation will look at excluding matriculation and intermediate marks, retaining NET/JRF weightage at up to, but increasing PhD weightage to not less than 30. To prevent misuse, this process will also include research publications and experience “with clear definitions”.
For guest assistant professors, the committee will assess significant demands including a uniform renewal process across universities, alongside a minimum pay scale and dearness allowance applicable to contractual assistant professors. The verification of their qualifications, research papers and experience will also be reviewed, after which eligible guest faculty could be allowed to work up to 65 years.
Additionally, the statement read that the panel would consider implementing a gradual reduction in the maximum age limit instead of cutting it at once. The committee will also focus on ensuring regular assistant professor recruitment against vacancies every year.
