Thiruvananthapuram:  The state government has revoked the directive that previously excluded NET qualification as a requirement for the appointment of college teachers. It is important to note that the state education department had initially issued an order, promoting the appointment of candidates who successfully passed state-level qualification exams endorsed by the UGC as assistant professors in Kerala's colleges. Nevertheless, they have now reversed this decision.

As per UGC, apart from candidates who clear NET, those who clear state-level qualification exams can also be considered for the posts of assistant professors in colleges. However, the recent decisions made by the higher education department of Kerala, have created a scenario in which candidates who successfully complete similar qualification exams in other states could also be deemed eligible for filling vacant assistant professor posts within the state. 

But that’s not exactly the case. The extra UGC provision for appointment of assistant professors in colleges is only applicable for states which already have their qualification exams for the posts. However, Kerala at present does not have any such examination in place. The state conducts the SET exam for appointment of teachers in higher secondary schools. Hence, the education department has taken the latest decision inorder to avoid further confusion.