Parliament Question: Hiring of Professors of Practice

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 4188 ANSWERED ON- 01/04/2026 Hiring of Professors of Practice 4188 Shri Sanjay Yadav: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) whether reservation policy was implemented in hiring of “1840 Professors of Practice” in Government universities and across 349 higher institutions affiliated by UGC; (b) if so, how many Professors of Practice belong to OBC/SC/ST or EWS reserved category, details thereof; (c) if not, why reservations policy was not adhered to; and (d) whether Government is planning to implement reservation policy in private universities, if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR) (a) to (d): The National Education Policy 2020 seeks to transform higher education by focusing on skill-based education to meet the needs of the industry and the economy. Further, the NEP also recommends integrating vocational education with general education and strengthening industry- academia collaboration in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). Towards this end, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken the initiative to bring the industry and other professional expertise into the academic institutions through "Professor of Practice". UGC has framed Guidelines for engaging Professor of Practice in Universities and Colleges on 30.09.2022. The post of Professor of Practice is a temporary post, exclusive of sanctioned post. Further, candidates who have proven expertise in their specific profession or role with at least 15 years of service /experience, preferably at a senior level, are eligible for Professor of Practice. For engaging industry experts and professionals, HEls may collaborate with the industries to support these positions. It also provides anopportunity, to those in leadership positions in different fields, to come on honorary basis as Professor of Practice so as to give back to the society and contribute towards nation building. In order to bring in distinguished experts from various fields of engineering, science, technology, entrepreneurship etc. and to develop courses and curriculum to meet the industry and societal needs and to enable the HEls to work with industry experts on joint research project, concept of Professor of Practice has been adopted, and thereby provide exposure and mentorship to students by domain experts. The maximum duration of service of Professor of Practice at a given institution should not exceed three years and is extendable by one year in exceptional cases and the total service should not exceed four years under any circumstances. *****