Parliament Question: Faculty vacancies in Central Universities

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2118 ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026 Faculty vacancies in Central Universities 2118. Shri Vivek K. Tankha: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) the sanctioned strength, working strength and vacancies of teaching faculty in Central Universities, including Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak; (b) the number of ad-hoc or guest faculty engaged against vacant sanctioned posts in these institutions; (c) whether any review or assessment has been undertaken of the implementation of the Manodarpan psychosocial support initiative in Higher Education Institutions; and (d) the funds allocated and utilized for digital infrastructure in rural Government schools in Madhya Pradesh under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) & (b): Central Universities under the purview of the Ministry of Education are statutory autonomous institutions established under their respective Acts of Parliament and governed by the provisions of their Acts, Statutes and Ordinances framed thereunder. The occurrence and filling up of vacancies are a continuous process. The responsibility of filling up sanctioned posts lies with the respective Central Universities including Dr. Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Sagar and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak in accordance with the provisions of their respective Acts, Statutes and Ordinances. Ad-hoc or guest faculty are engaged by the Universities on a need basis as a short-term stop-gap arrangement against teaching requirements. (c) The Manodarpan Initiative was launched in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period characterised by unprecedented disruptions in the education system and psychosocial challenges among students and other stakeholders. The Manodarpan Cell in National Council of Educational Research and Training regularly undertakes analysis ofspecific components of the initiative through academic and educational research. This includes analysis of data received through the Manodarpan toll-free tele-helpline to understand the nature of psychosocial concerns reported by students and trends over time. At present, the initiative is at a stage where evidence generation and thematic assessments are being regularly undertaken to inform future planning and strengthening of the programme rather than a single summative impact evaluation. Further, the Department of Higher Education has also initiated the Integrated approach for Promoting Positive Mental Health, Resilience and Wellbeing under the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme to empower faculty to address student mental health concerns for early intervention. (d) Under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, financial assistance is provided to all States and Union Territories including rural areas for establishing ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms in Government and Government-aided schools having classes VI to XII. During the year 2024–25, in the State of Madhya Pradesh, an amount of Rs. 4855.0 lakh and Rs. 8218.8 lakh was allocated for ICT Labs and Smart Classrooms respectively. ***