Budget Session 2025: Govt enhances retirement age of university professors

Srinagar, Mar 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government has extended the retirement age of university professors from 62 to 65 years, subject to review by a designated committee. The issue was raised by BJP MLA Dr. Narinder Singh Raina in the legislative Assembly.
In its reply, it has been decided by the Review Committee that it shall approve the first-year extension as subject extension of the eligible superannuating Professors for 03 years from 62 to review by the Committee 65 years.
However, on the completion of each year, the concerned Vice headed by Chief Secretary Chancellor shall review the performance in each case subject to the and subsequent reviews to be the minimum benchmark relating to research Publications, Classroom Teaching, Academic Contribution, Overall work and conduct of the concerned in the preceding year. The continuation of such Professors shall be subject to attaining such minimum benchmark, it said.
In another question, MLA said whether this review mechanism has encouraged favouritism and pick and choose approach, raising serious questions over the academic integrity fairness.
The government in its reply said no the method is meticulously structured to prevent any semblance of favouritism or a pick and choose approach, thereby, holding the principles of fairness and institutional integrity.
“It is a rule-based process, not an arbitrary one. Each case is scrutinized in light of the laid down parameters including general conduct and behaviour in terms of integrity, thereby reinforcing the credibility of the mechanism, leaving no scope for arbitrary decision-making,” it said.
Government further said that it is imperative to underscore that the review mechanism instituted for the University enhancement of the superannuation age of University Professors is a sycophancy to structured and objective process, meticulously designed to ensure that extensions are granted solely on the basis of merit, eligibility criteria and compliance with established parameters.
“The mechanism is not intended to foster a culture of sycophancy but rather to uphold the highest academic and ethical standards in the selection process,” it said.
The reply further reads that the UT of J & K has implemented the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, it the senior Professors in Universities are involved in multifarious research this at Universities, National and International levels and their continuation review shall be helpful in the supervision of research/projects in churning out the so, best talent in the University system to cater to the needs of society as there required under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
“The challenge NEP 2020 being across all educational institutions including universities provides a big reason for retaining capable and experienced faculty by enhancing the age of superannuation in Universities,” it said in its reply.