Over 2,700 Faculty Vacancies to Be Addressed in Jharkhand Universities
Jharkhand government initiates recruitment of Associate Professors, Professors, and Assistant Professors to tackle acute staffing shortages in higher education.
Key Points:
- recruitment drive to fill 2,700+ faculty vacancies
- ranchi university faces severe staff shortages
- student dropout rates remain a pressing challenge
RANCHI – The Department of Higher and Technical Education has initiated the recruitment process for over 2,700 academic positions in Jharkhand’s government universities. Universities have been instructed to finalize and submit candidate lists to the Directorate of Higher Education.
This effort includes appointments for approximately 260 Associate Professors, Professors, and over 2,400 Assistant Professors. The move seeks to alleviate acute staffing shortages in higher education institutions across the state.
Critical Shortages in Ranchi University
Ranchi University, Jharkhand’s largest institution, is grappling with a severe faculty shortage. Out of 47 sanctioned Professor positions, only 9 are currently filled. For Associate Professors, 51 out of 103 positions remain vacant, while 24 contract Assistant Professors supplement the 99 filled permanent roles. These gaps have significantly impacted the academic environment.
Addressing Systemic Challenges
The state’s higher education challenges are compounded by alarming dropout rates. The U-DISE report from the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development highlights that 4.9% of students drop out by fifth grade, escalating to 10.3% by 12th grade. Boys have a slightly higher dropout rate than girls, particularly in early grades.
Delayed Appointment Process
Recruitment delays have exacerbated the staffing crisis. Proposals submitted in 2016 for 162 Associate Professor and 70 Professor positions remain unresolved. While the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) recommended several candidates in 2021, the appointments are yet to be finalized. Notable recommended candidates include Dr. NK Bera, Dr. Gauri Shankar Jha, and Dr. Asha Kumari.
Efforts to expedite these appointments are crucial to improving the quality of education and addressing systemic issues in the state’s academic institutions.
