Guest lecturers across Karnataka seek regularisation after new hiring order
Bengaluru: Guest lecturers across Karnataka are expressing concerns over the Department of Collegiate Education’s recent notification inviting new applications for the 2025–26 academic year. Many lecturers, who have served in the same roles for several years, are reportedly being overlooked, despite their long-standing contributions to higher education.
Members of the State First Grade Colleges Guest Lecturers’ Welfare Association, quoted by The New Indian Express, have raised alarms after the department issued recruitment calls 4-5 times during the 2024-25 academic year, bypassing existing lecturers who have already proven their merit. They argue that fresh appointments are being made despite the Supreme Court's rulings allowing the regularisation of long-serving temporary staff in various sectors.
“These appointments are happening at the cost of experienced lecturers who have been working tirelessly for years. Instead of recognising our service, the department is treating us as replaceable,” TNIE quoted Santhosh NS, secretary of the association, as saying.
Guest lecturers are also expressing frustration over their compensation. Despite performing duties equivalent to full-time staff, often working 15-18 hours per week, they allege that they receive a fraction of an assistant professor’s salary.
“As per UGC Regulations 2018 and 2019, guest lecturers must be appointed on the same basis as full-time faculty, and their remuneration should reflect their workload - up to Rs 1,500 per hour and Rs 50,000 per month,” stated the association.
“We are 10,300 guest lecturers doing the work of full-time staff, but without recognition or security. The system is built on our backs, yet we remain invisible. We were selected through interviews and merit lists. We have been working for over 15-20 years. If this isn’t eligibility for regularisation, what is?” TNIE quoted Lokesh PC, president of the association, as saying.
The association also pointed out that while Siddaramaiah had advocated for the regularisation of guest lecturers during his time as Leader of the Opposition, as Chief Minister, he has reportedly overlooked their service and sent many lecturers home.
Citing examples from other states where long-serving guest lecturers have been retained regardless of UGC qualifications, the association urged the Karnataka government to prioritise experience and loyalty over rigid formal criteria. They have demanded that the recent notification be withdrawn, allowing current lecturers to continue in their roles, with new appointments made only for vacant positions.
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SIT chief Pranab Mohanty visits Belthangady, inspects new office
Belthangady: Pranab Kumar Mohanty, Chief of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the mass burials case, visited Belthangady on Sunday, July 27, to inspect the newly set-up SIT office.
The SIT office has been set up in a newly constructed building adjacent to the Belthangady Police Station. Pranab Mohanty arrived directly from Mangaluru at around 6 PM on Sunday to review the office facilities and preparedness.
He was accompanied by senior SIT officials including Anucheth IPS, SP C.A. Simon, and other officers during the visit.
