New Delhi, May 16 – In a significant administrative reform, Delhi University is poised to implement a uniform policy for determining the seniority of college teachers. The move aims to remove long-standing ambiguities surrounding faculty appointments and governance across its constituent colleges.
The proposed policy will be tabled for final approval at the upcoming Executive Council (EC) meeting on May 23. The EC, chaired by Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh, is the university's apex decision-making body.
Addressing Widespread Confusion in Promotions
The absence of a standardised system for evaluating seniority, especially among Assistant Professors (Level 10), has caused persistent confusion in matters such as faculty promotions and the selection of senior-most members for academic committees and statutory bodies.Recognising the urgency of reform, the university established a high-level committee in July 2024 to formulate a transparent and consistent policy. The committee, led by the Dean of Colleges, included principals from major DU colleges, members of the Executive and Academic Councils, and representatives from the SC, ST, and OBC communities.
Policy Framework Based on Appointment Date and Age
After five meetings held between July 2024 and April 2025, and a detailed review of Ordinance XI provisions, the committee submitted its recommendations. The proposed policy outlines the following key principles:- Department-Level Seniority: Departments with earlier faculty appointments will be considered senior to those with later appointments.
- Intra-Departmental Seniority: If a unified seniority list was not prepared at the time of selection, faculty members will be ranked based on age. All top-ranked individuals across categories will be treated equally in the process, which will be repeated until all ranks are assigned.
- Parallel Category-Wise Lists: These will establish clear seniority within each reserved category without affecting the overall seniority order, ensuring fair and transparent representation.
Promoting Equity and Governance
This initiative also aligns with the university's commitment to equitable representation of reserved categories in decision-making bodies, in compliance with constitutional mandates on reservation.If ratified by the Executive Council, the new seniority policy is expected to settle long-standing disputes, enhance procedural clarity, and reinforce DU's broader goals of equity, efficiency, and sound governance.