FEDCUTA Urges Rollback of UGC Draft Rules, Seeks Pension Parity for Central University Teachers

FEDCUTA has sent letters to UGC, MoE, and key Parliamentary Committees highlight issues with service conditions, autonomy, social justice, and pensionary rights

The Federation of Central Universities’ Teachers Associations (FEDCUTA) has launched a coordinated communication campaign by writing to key education authorities including the University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education (MoE), and parliamentary panels, raising pressing concerns about the deteriorating academic and service conditions in Central Universities.

In separate letters addressed to UGC Secretary Prof. Manish R. Joshi, Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, and the chairpersons of Parliamentary Standing Committees on Education and Social Justice, FEDCUTA flagged critical issues concerning the Draft UGC Regulations 2025, withdrawal of PhD/MPhil incentives, Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), and violation of reservation policies in faculty appointments.

The union has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Draft UGC Regulations 2025, which it claims would erode institutional autonomy, centralize control over vice-chancellor appointments, and severely affect faculty promotion processes. “These regulations, if implemented, would undermine the academic responsibilities of faculty and worsen working conditions,” stated the appended note sent with each letter.

Recovery of PhD/MPhil Incentives Sparks Outrage

FEDCUTA also strongly opposed the retrospective withdrawal of advance increments given for holding PhD/MPhil degrees under the 2018 UGC Regulations. Teachers across universities are facing recovery proceedings over alleged ‘excess salary’ without fault. The union criticised the UGC’s decision as “legally untenable and administratively irresponsible,” and demanded a complete rollback of recovery actions.

Pension Disparity and UPS Extension Delays

A major concern raised was the non-extension of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to employees of Central Government-funded autonomous bodies like Central Universities, despite such provisions being announced for Central Government employees. FEDCUTA warned this distinction is creating a two-tier pension system that disadvantages university teachers, and called for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all teachers regardless of joining date.

Violations in Reservation Policy Implementation

In its submission to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, FEDCUTA highlighted the systemic failure in implementing reservation quotas in faculty recruitment. The misuse of the “None Found Suitable” clause and violations of DoPT rules in backlog treatment have contributed to under-representation of SC/ST/OBC categories, the union stated. It called for institutional accountability mechanisms and observer independence to uphold the constitutional mandate of social justice.

MoE Urged to Rethink Governance Approach

FEDCUTA’s letter to the Ministry of Education also raised concerns about growing government interference in university governance, including the directive to amend statutes and include MoE nominees in Executive Councils. It warned this could reduce Central Universities to mere departments under the Ministry, undermining academic freedom and democratic functioning.

The union requested urgent meetings with all recipients of the letters to initiate dialogue. “If required, FEDCUTA is willing to formally appear before the Committees to explain its position,” the letters stated.

This multi-pronged outreach by FEDCUTA comes at a crucial time when the UGC is finalizing regulations that could shape the future of faculty service conditions, higher education governance, and pension frameworks in India.