Now Reading: DU teachers urge VC to withdraw order on PhD, MPhil increment recovery
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DU teachers urge VC to withdraw order on PhD, MPhil increment recovery
Delhi University teachers have urged Vice Chancellor Professor Yogesh Singh to withdraw a directive that seeks recovery of advance increments given to faculty members who obtained PhD or MPhil degrees after January 1, 2016. The Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) and members of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) submitted a letter calling the move "ridiculous and unacceptable."
The DU order, dated August 17, 2026, refers to a UGC letter from August 13, 2025, and a previous DU letter from August 20, 2025. Teachers say the recovery will hit those due to retire within one year. They also allege the decision was made without discussion in the Executive Council and that a status quo directive from August 20, 2025, has allowed some colleges to continue withdrawing increments.
The DTF has demanded immediate withdrawal of the August 17 letter and asked that all colleges honour the increments until the UGC settles the matter. The teachers note that the UGC, at its 595th meeting on January 30, 2026, forwarded a recommendation supporting restoration of increments to the Ministry of Education for consideration.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The dispute centres on advance increments granted under UGC regulations for faculty with higher qualifications. In 2016, the UGC revised rules, and since then, universities have differed on whether increments for degrees obtained after that date are valid. The DU order threatens to claw back payments from teachers who may have already spent the money. The matter now rests with the Ministry of Education, which received a UGC recommendation in January 2026. If the ministry rejects restoration, affected teachers could face significant financial hardship, especially those near retirement. The next signal to watch is whether the UGC or ministry issues a clarification before the recovery notices go out.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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