## Summary of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 117 Regarding Faculty Shortage at SPA Vijayawada
On July 28, 2025, the Ministry of Education addressed Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 117, raised by Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni, concerning faculty shortages at the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada. As of that date, 8 faculty positions were vacant out of 49 sanctioned posts. Specifically, there is 1 vacancy for Professor, 3 vacancies for Associate Professor, and 4 vacancies for Assistant Professor.
The Ministry clarified that faculty recruitment is an ongoing process, with vacancies arising from various factors. To address short-term academic needs, SPA Vijayawada has engaged 16 qualified faculty members on a contractual basis. The current vacancies are not primarily attributed to increased student enrollment.
The Ministry of Education initiated a "Mission Mode" drive in August 2021, instructing all Central Higher Educational Institutions (CHEIs) to fill vacancies, particularly those reserved for specific categories. This directive was reinforced in September 2022. Between September 2022 and July 2025, CHEIs collectively recruited 16,507 faculty and 11,943 non-faculty staff, totaling 28,450 recruitments under this initiative. SPA Vijayawada responded to these directives and has since filled 6 vacant faculty positions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was addressed.
School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada: An Institution of National Importance (INI) where faculty vacancies exist. Located in Andhra Pradesh.
Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni: The Member of Parliament who raised the starred question regarding faculty shortages.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan: The Minister of Education who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Central Higher Educational Institutions: Higher education institutions that are funded and regulated by the central government.
Mission Mode: A government initiative to fill faculty vacancies in Central Higher Educational Institutions.
Andhra Pradesh: The state in India where School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada is located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 117
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
SHORTAGE OF FACULTY IN SPA, VIJAYAWADA
*117. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) whether 15 out of sanctioned 50 faculty posts are lying vacant in School of Planning and
Architecture (SPA), Vijayawada;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether such vacancies are being managed through part-time or contractual or re-
employment of faculties, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the above vacancies are due to enhancement in strength/number of the students;
(e) whether the Government has directed all Central Higher Educational Institutions to fill up
the vacancies on a Mission Mode within a period of one year; and
(f) if so, the details thereof along with the status of filling up of above 15 posts in SPA?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF EDUCATION
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 117 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025 REGARDING
“SHORTAGE OF FACULTY IN SPA, VIJAYAWADA” RAISED BY SHRI
BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:
(a) & (b) At present 08 faculty positions are vacant out of the total 49 sanctioned posts at
SPA Vijayawada. The details are as follows:
SI. No. Name of the post Sanctioned Filled vacant
1 Professor 7 6 1
2 Associate Professor 14 11 3
3 Assistant Professor 28 24 4
Total 49 41 8
(c) & (d) The recruitment of faculty is a continuous process and the vacancies arise due to
factors like promotions, retirements, resignations, death etc.. Presently, sixteen qualified
faculties have been contractually engaged, so as to address short term academic and
institutional requirements. The current vacancies are not primarily due to an increase in
student strength. SPA Vijayawada being an Institution of National Importance (INI) has a
very rigorous and multistage selection process so as to ensure that only meritorious faculties
are recruited.
(e) & (f) In August 2021, the Ministry issued instructions to all CHEIs to fill vacancies
especially those reserved for specific categories in a Mission Mode. In September 2022, all
CHEIs were once again requested to intensify this Mission Mode drive to fill all remaining
vacancies, especially those in reserved categories. Between September 2022 and July, 2025,
a total of 16,507 faculty and 11,943 non faculty, totalling upto 28,450 recruitments have
been made in the CHEIs under this Mission Mode initiative. The Institute responded
promptly to these directives and accelerated its recruitment efforts and has filled 6 vacant
posts.
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