The University Grants Commission (UGC), as per the UGC Act, 1956, is responsible for promotion and co-ordination of University Education, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in Universities. To ensure adequate quality teaching faculties in Universities/Colleges, the UGC has notified rules and procedures containing Academic Performance Indicators (APIs) in the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations. API scores are mandatory qualifying benchmarks for Career Advancement Scheme and for direct recruitment of teachers and other academic staff in Universities and Colleges.

To maintain standards in Higher Education and to ensure quality teaching faculties in Higher Educational Institutions, the Central Government reviews minimum qualifications and teacher performance indicators from time to time. On the basis of such reviews, the UGC brings in amendments to APIs both for Career Advancement Scheme and for direct recruitment of teachers and other academic staff in Universities and Colleges. The last such amendments to APIs was effected through the notification of the 4th Amendment to the UGC (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education), Regulations, 2016 dated 11th July, 2016.

UGC has, inter-alia, implemented the “Operation Faculty Recharge Scheme” wherein it recruits quality faculty through advertisements and posts them to various universities with a view to augment the research and teaching resources of Higher Educational Institutions.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey today in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.