The Union Ministry of Education has made PhD non-obligatory for lectureship in Central universities till 2023 for candidates who have qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET). Apart from this, the Appraisal Performance Index (API), too, would determine the capacity and potential of the individual. Their pay packages and promotion will also be defined on the basis of their seminar papers and research articles.
How would somebody pursuing their PhD from a reputed academic institute benefit in terms of faculty positions? In the case of smart and stiff state eligibility tests, assessment, evaluation and monitoring of one’s overall academic credentials and calibre are easier. But for a PhD candidate, there is exposure to research tools, techniques, applications and methodologies.
I believe the Ministry of Education should get back to the drawing board, if not for the worst, as a PhD ensures a level-playing field for scholars and learners alike to argue, deliberate, discuss ideas, views, values and opinions for a better acknowledgement and appreciation of means, methods and merits.
Otherwise, what would be the use of symposiums and seminars being routinely organised by the Ministry? The hype and sensationalism of a regime rewriting history and distorting facts for fiction and real for rhetoric are doing a disservice to the soul and spirit of a research scholar and scientist, signalling a grave end.
Are we ready to bully the bruises and assaults interfering with our impressions of being constructive and creative? Who will preserve all that has been said about our intellectualism over the last few years? If only someone were listening with their ears to the wall. Alas, nobody seems to be reaching out to officers and administrators hankering for profiles, positions and portfolios adapting to the context and circumstances. Who loses ultimately then?