Comes five years after medical peers received the benefit

mahesh Avadhutha I hyderabad

The Telangana government has raised the retirement age of teachers working in the state universities from 60 to 65 years. This move will benefit the teaching faculty from Conventional universities, like Osmania, Kakatiya, Mahatma Gandhi, Telangana etc and Technology universities like the JNTU.

Professors from the state universities got their long pending demand fulfilled, but nearly five and half years after their compatriots from government medical and dental colleges got a similar benefit. In 2019, the then BRS government enhanced the superannuation age of professors working in government medical and dental colleges from 58 to 65 years.

The State government has passed an amendment to the Telangana Public Employment (Regulation of Age of Superannuation) Act increasing the retirement age from 58 to 65 years for all faculty members working in government medical and dental colleges.

The then CM K Chandrashekar Rao, introducing the Amendment Bill in the Assembly, stated since there was a severe shortage of faculty members in various medical colleges the government was compelled to increase the retirement age to 65 years.

OUTA has been raising this issue since 2019

Expressing gratitude to the Telangana government's decision to increase the superannuation age for professors, Osmania University Teachers Association( OUTA) stated that they have been fighting for a retirement age hike for a long time and especially after their colleagues from government medical colleges were extended the benefit.

In a thanks letter to the government, OUTA President Prof B Manohar described the move as a progressive step that will positively impact the academic landscape. By allowing experienced professors to continue their service, the government ensures that educational institutions benefit from their knowledge, expertise, and mentorship. OUTA believes this policy will motivate professors to pursue academic excellence and inspire future scholars, Prof Manohar stressed.

Also this initiative is a testament to recognizing the value experienced faculty bring to academia, enabling seasoned educators to continue contributing their expertise and mentoring the younger generation, opined the professors fraternity.

Numerous benefits with the fresh decision

The Telangana government’s decision to enhance the retirement age for university professors from 60 to 65 years, effective January 28, 2025, aims to address the acute shortage of teaching staff in state universities. Recommended by the Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE), the move seeks to retain senior faculty to maintain teaching quality, enhance research output, and improve rankings in NAAC, NBA, NIRF, and other accreditation bodies.

The last recruitment for teaching faculty occurred in 2013, and retirements since then have significantly impacted academic standards. This fresh decision will not affect new recruitments as it involves extending the service of existing posts, ensuring continuity and leveraging faculty expertise for academic excellence.

Different states following different age limits

Prof Sriram Venkatesh, Secretary, Telangana Council for Higher Education (TGCHE) said the retirement age increase will benefit 753 senior faculty members including Professors working in the state universities of the state.

He said the state council was receiving numerous applications from stakeholders for enhancing the retirement age for the teaching faculty. It may be mentioned here that The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India increased the retirement age for university teachers from 62 to 65 years in 2018 and the same is being followed in all central universities.