Amid UGC Draft Guidelines Controversy, Pradhan Assures No Reserved Posts Will Be De-Reserved

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 29th Jan. Amidst controversy surrounding the UGC’s draft guidelines on filling reserved posts in higher education institutes, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified on Sunday that no reserved posts will be de-reserved.

Pradhan emphasized that there is no room for ambiguity in reservations since the introduction of the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019.

He stated, “Not a single reserved post will be de-reserved. There is no ambiguity after the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Act, 2019.”

The draft guidelines proposed by the UGC suggest that if there are not enough candidates from the SC, ST, and OBC categories, a vacancy reserved for them can be declared unreserved.

These draft guidelines have faced criticism from various groups.

The Congress party has alleged a conspiracy to end reservation for SCs, STs, and OBCs in higher educational institutions, accusing the Modi government of engaging in symbolic politics regarding Dalits, backward classes, and tribals.

The JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) has announced a protest against the guidelines and plans to burn an effigy of UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar.