2,800 faculty posts lying vacant in IITs, 260 in IIMs
It is not just seats that are going vacant in Indian institutes. According to data from the HRD Ministry, 5,606 posts of faculty members in central universities are yet to be filled. These numbers in prestigious institutes are alarming too: while the IITs lack 2,806 faculty members, the NITs and Indian Institutes of Engineering Science and Technology (IIESTs) need 1,870. IIMs, meanwhile, have 258 to-be-filled posts.
Vacancies due to 'retirement, resignation, additional requirements'
Other institutes are suffering similarly. There are 324 vacant posts in Indian Institutes of Information technology (IIITs), 96 in School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), 88 in IISc, Bengaluru, and 100 in Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). According to a ministry official, "Vacancies keep on arising due to retirement, resignation and additional requirements on account of enhanced students' strength."
Situation in the IITs is even more alarming
As of March, the 23 IITs had a faculty shortage of 34%. Only one, IIT-Mandi, has more than the sanctioned strength. IIT-Goa is facing the worst condition, with 62% shortage of faculty. At 58%, IIT-Bhilai isn't doing much better. Among the top five IITs, Kharagpur has the most vacancies (46%), followed by Kanpur (36%), Delhi (29%), Chennai (28%) and Mumbai (27%).
Why aren't IITs being able to lure faculty?
Experts say earlier, 15% IIT graduates would join as faculty, but now, most move abroad or join the private sector for better opportunities. In the newer institutes like Dharwad, there's the problem of luring and persuading faculty to stay in smaller towns.
The government is taking steps to correct the situation
The government has asked all universities to fill up such vacant posts within three years. Institutes have already taken some steps, which includes "engaging research scholars, contract, re-employed, adjunct and visiting faculty. The institutions publish rolling advertisements to attract faculty," the official said. They must also be offered competitive salaries and attractive research opportunities.
