Archive · 30 Sep 2025
Teacher Shortage Crisis Impacts India's Higher Education
Imagine schools not having enough teachers!
That's what's happening in some Indian colleges and universities.
Many teaching jobs are empty, especially for professors from certain groups.
Colleges are hiring teachers who work only a few hours a week, which isn't good for students because the teachers don't have as much time to teach and do other important tasks.
These temporary teachers often get paid very little.
This also makes it harder for the colleges to have good quality teaching.
The government needs to find a permanent solution by hiring full-time teachers, so the colleges can offer better education to students.
A significant number of teaching positions in central universities across various categories remain vacant.
Maharashtra colleges face a considerable shortage of teachers, with many posts unfilled.
Colleges increasingly rely on teachers on a clock-hour basis (CHB), impacting teaching quality.
CHB teachers lack job security and are paid less, leading to a decline in long-term educational quality.
The government's actions indicate a lack of commitment to adequately funding and supporting higher education.
- Who
- Central and state governments, universities, and teachers.
- What
- A severe shortage of full-time, permanent teachers in Indian higher education institutions.
- When
- As of June 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024.
- Where
- Central universities nationwide, and government-aided colleges in Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai.
- Why
- Due to a lack of political will, frozen appointments, and reliance on temporary, clock-hour basis (CHB) teachers.
- Nationwide Vacancy
- Approximately 26% of teaching posts remain vacant
- Maharashtra Colleges Vacancy
- 38% shortage of teachers
- Mumbai University Vacancy
- 41% vacancy rate in aided colleges
- OBC Professor Vacancy
- 80% of sanctioned professor posts vacant in central universities
- ST Associate Professor Vacancy
- 65% of sanctioned posts vacant
- General Category Professor Vacancy
- 39% of sanctioned posts vacant