by Santhoshkumar, R. and Neethu, S. Kumar
A number discussions and suggestions were made from various parts of our country in relation to modifying, implementing and introducing API (Academic Performance Indicators) Score in Higher Education. Actually it will help to improve the quality of the higher education system in our country. However, some people have confusion in the proposed system. Because the proposed present API score-system is not properly followed in all universities in our country. Most of the doubt is confined to the inclusion of different patterns of mark-distribution in the score-sheet and yearwise assessment.
The present system of score-sheet contains different main heads with different marks for various activities in an academic year. It contains three main categories with a number of sub- categories. Category one contains Teaching, Learning and Evaluation-related activities. Category two contains Co-curricular, Extension and Professional Development-related activities. And Category three is mainly focused on Research and Academic contributions. The above three categories are comparatively good and satisfactory, but the distribution of Marks is not satisfactory with most of the people. Because the people may achieve minimum marks in the first category and third category by their own effort. But achieving minimum mark in the second category is very difficult to most of the teachers; that is because it mainly depends on the different extracurricular activities in the colleges. To quote one, the number of available positions of convener or Co-ordinator in a college is limited and not sufficient to distribute to all teachers systematically. In this situation several unauthorised practices, like politics, personal interest etc., may be formed However, a few universities have already published the format for the API score as per the existing rules of the University Grants Commission. These rules are comparatively good but we are faced with the difficulty of following those in the present condition, the reason having been already mentioned above. In this article, an attempt has been made to discuss how to improve the present format of the API score with some modifications. The modified format is presented as follows:
Category 1. Teaching, Learning and Evaluation-related Activities
Sl. No. Nature of Activity Maximum Score Minimum
_ to be counted Score for the
_ per year promotion from
_ one stage
_ to next stage
1. Lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical hours undertaken Minimum 300
_ as percentage of lectures allocated 50 API is to
2. Lectures or other teaching duties in excess of the UGC Norms 10 achieve any
3. Preparation and Imparting of knowledge/instruction as 10 stage of
_ per curriculum; syllabus enrichment by providing promotion in
_ additional resources to students this category;
4. Use of participatory and innovative teaching-learning 10 API score in
_ methodologies; updating of subject content, course this is
_ improvement etc. compulsory
5. Examination duties (Invigilation; question paper setting, 25 for all
_ evaluation/assessment of answer scripts) as per allotment. teachers. But
6. Feedback From Students 10 year-wise
7. Conducting Study Tours 10 distribution is
Total Score 125 not compulsory
Minimum API Score required 75
Sl. No. 1. Lectures and tutorials allocation to add up to the UGC norm for a particular category of teacher. University may prescribe minimum cut-off (net of due leave) as minimum 80 per cent for the category
Sl. No. 2. Lectures or other duties in Excess of the UGC norms — 5 mark/hour
Sl. No. 3. Chairman of a syllabus preparing committee — 10 mark/syllabus; for all other members—5 marks (one person to act as chairman/member in one syllabus preparation/4 year duration, one person act as Chairman/Member more than one syllabus preparation in the same period is not to be counted nor encouraged).
Sl. No. 4. Contribution of matters for the improvement of subject content, course improvement — 1 point/ suggestion/contribution (only after the acceptance of University)
Sl. No. 5. One mark/hour for invigilation; one mark/day for evaluation/ assessment of manuscript;
One person to act as class tutor — 5 point/year
Sl. No. 6. Very Good — 15 Marks; Good — 10 Marks; Average—7 Marks; Bad—Zero
Sl. No. 7. 1 mark/day for all teachers participating in the tour programme (maximum teaching staff in a study tour 4; each staff get same marks)
For one day Trip 2 staff permissible, more than two days trip with more than 25 students —
_ 4 staffs.
Category 2. Co-curricular, Extension and Professional Development-related activities
Sl. No. Nature of Activity Maximum
_ Score to be
_ counted
_ per year
1. Student-related co-curricular, extension and field-based activities [such as 20
_ extension work through NSS/NCCand other channels (clubs listed by
_ Universities or any other government agencies or conducted by college),
_ cultural activities (programme for different important days and festivals),
_ subject related events, advertisement and counselling)]
2. Contribution to Corporate life and management of the department and 10
_ institution through participation in academic and administrative committees
_ and responsibilities.
3. Professional Development activities (such as participation in seminars, 20
_ conferences, short term-training courses, talks, lectures, membership of
_ associations, dissemination and general articles, not covered in Category III
_ below, General articles published in Journals, Magazines and National
_ dailies in any language or any other weekly to be considered as General
_ article), member in Editorial board of Journals.
Minimum API Score RequiredNot applicable
Sl. No. 1. Appointed as Co-ordinator or Convenor for NSS/NCC/Clubs in an academic year — 10 Marks. Members in each club — 1 point/year (Co-convenor in clubs should also be considered as a member). For Convenor/ Co-ordinator/ Co-convenor of different programmes/celebrations/seminars conducted in College level or University level—2 points/each programme (number of days of the programme not to be counted). Members in each programme—1 Marks/programme for all members, (maximum number of Co-convenors and members in a programme is limited to 20)
Sl. No. 2. Appointed as convenor/ Co-ordinator for academic administrative committees of the College/Universities/ Elected members of various committees/academic bodies of the Universities — 5 marks/ academic year; one person as Head of the Department — 5 points/year
Sl. No. 3. Participation of seminars—1 mark/one day seminar/conference without paper presentation, 2 mark/Participation with paper presentation; short term training courses- 1mark per day; for talks—1 mark/talk; for general lectures—1 mark/lecture other than their subject; for membership of association—1 mark/year/association; for dissemination and general articles not covered in category III—5 mark for first author and corresponding author, 4 marks for all other authors per article; 10 points for Chief Editor of an ISSN Journal, 7 point for chief editor of a Journal without ISSN, 7 points for every members of the editorial board of ISSN Journal, 5 points for all members of editorial board of Journal without ISSN/year.
Category 3. Research and Academic Contributions
Brief Explanation
: Based on the self-assessment of teachers, API scores are proposed for research and academic contributions. The minimum API score required by teachers from this category is different for different levels of promotion and between universities and colleges. The self-assessment score will be based on verifiable criteria and will be finalised by the authorities of the universities.
API Points for Publications
Sl. APIs Engineering/Agriculture/ Max. points forUniversity Remarks
_ No. Veterinary Science/Sciences/ and college teacherposition
_ MedicalSciences, Faculties of
_ LanguagesArts/Humanities/Social
_ Sciences/Library/Physicaleducation/
_ Management
III A Research Conference proceedings as full 3 points for the first author and
_ Papers papers, etc. (Abstracts not to be 3 points for corresponding author
_ published included) and 2 points for each other
_ authors/publications.
Non-refereed but recognised and 3 points for the first author and
_ reputable journals andperiodicals 3 points for the corresponding
_ without ISBN/ISSN numbers. author and 2 points for each,
_ other authors/publications.
Non-refereed but recognised and 5 points for the first Author and
_ reputable journals and periodicals, 5 points for corresponding author
_ having ISBN/ISSNnumbers. and 3 points for other authors/
_ publications.
Refereed Journals with impact 7 points for first author and For Impact factor—only
_ factor (Impact factor 0.1 to 1) 7 points for corresponding author Thomson and Reuters
_ and 5 points for each other values will be taken;
_ authors/publications. other impact factor
Refereed Journals with impact factor 10 points for first author and not to be counted.
_ (Impact factor above 1 to 2) 10 points for corresponding author All other article to be
_ and 7 points for each other considered as articles
_ authors/ publications. Published in Journals.
Refereed Journals with impact 15 points for first author and
_ factor (Impact factor above 2 to 5) 15 points for corresponding author
_ and 10 points for each other
_ authors/publications
Refereed Journals with impact 20 points for first author and
_ factor (Impact factor above 5 to 10) 20 points for corresponding author
_ and 15 points for each other
_ authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 50 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 10 to 15) 50 points for corresponding author
_ and 40 points for each other
_ authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 75 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 15 to 20) 75 points for corresponding author
_ and 50 points for each other
_ authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 100 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 20 to 25) 100 points for corresponding
_ author and 75 points for each
_ other authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 150 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 20 to 25) 150 points for corresponding
_ author and 100 points for each
_ other authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 175 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 25 to 30) 175 points for corresponding
_ author and 150 points for each
_ other authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 200 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 30 to 35) 200 points for corresponding
_ author and 150 points for each
_ other authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 300 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 35 to 45) 300 points for corresponding
_ author and 250 points for each
_ other authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 500 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 45 to 50) 500 points for corresponding
_ author and 450 points for each
_ other authors/publications.
Refereed Journals with impact factor 750 points for first author and
_ (Impact factor above 50) 750 points for corresponding
_ author and 700 points for each
_ other authors.
API Points for Published Books
Sl. APIs Engineering/Agriculture/Veterinary Max. points for University and
_ No. Science/Sciences/Medical college teacher position
_ Sciences Faculties of Languages
_ Arts/Humanities/SocialSciences/
_ Library/Physicaleducation/Management
III (B)Research Text or Reference Books Published by 50/sole author of a book. More than
_ Publications International Publishers with an one author, 40 points for first author
_ (books, established peer review system and 30 points for each other authors;
_ chapters Chapter in book—10 point /chapter
_ in books, other in an edited book
_ than refereed
_ journal articles)
Subjects Books by National level 40/sole author of a book, more than
_ publishers/State and Central Govt. one author, 35 for first author and
_ Publications with ISBN/ISSN numbers. 25 points for each other authors
_ Chapter in book—5/chapter in
_ edited books
Subject Books by Other local publishers 25/sole author of a book, more
_ with ISBN/ISSN numbers. than one author 20 points for first
_ author and 15 for each other authors.
_ Chapter in book 3/chapter in
_ edited books
Chapters contributed to edited 10/Chapter
_ knowledge based volumes published
_ by International Publishers.
Chapters in knowledge based volumes 5/Chapter
_ by Indian/Nationallevel publishers with
_ ISBN/ISSN numbers and with numbers
_ of national and international directories.
API Points for Research Projects
III Research Engineering/Agriculture/ Faculties of Languages Arts/ Max. points for Remarks
_ (C) Projects Veterinary Science/Sciences/ Humanities/Social Sciences/ University and
_ Medical Sciences Library/ Physicaleducation/ college teacher
_ Management position
III Sponsored (a) Major Projects amount Major Projects amount 20/each Project/ Maximum point of
_ (C) (i) Projects mobilised with grants mobilised with grants each Project will be
_ carried above 30.0 lakhs above 5.0 lakhs counted only one
_ out/ time, that means the
_ ongoing duration of the
(b) Major Projects amount Major Projects Amount 15/each Project project is not
_ mobilised with grants mobilized with minimum applicable at any
_ above 5.0 lakhs up to of Rs. 3.00 lakhs up to stage
_ 30.00 lakhs Rs. 5.00 lakhs
(c) Minor Projects (Amount Minor Projects (Amount 10/each Project
_ mobilised with grants above mobilised with grants above
_ Rs. 50,000 upto Rs. 5 lakh) Rs. 25,000 upto Rs. 3 lakh)
III Consultan- Amount mobilised with Amount mobilised with 10 per every
_ (C) cy Projects minimum of Rs.10.00 lakh minimum of Rs. 2.0 lakhs Rs 10.0 lakhs
_ (ii) carried out and Rs 2.0 lakhs,
_ /ongoing respectively
III Completed Completed project Report Completed project report 20/each Point achieved
_ (C) projects: (Acceptance from (Accepted by funding majorproject in Category
_ (iii) Quality fundingagency) agency) and 10 /each III (C) (i) and
_ Evaluation minorproject III (C) (ii) is
_ not lapsed
III Projects Patent/Technology Major Policy document 30/each Point achieved
_ (C) Outcome/ transfer/Product/Process of Govt. Bodies at Central national level in Category
_ (iv) Outputs and State level output orpatent III (C) (i), III (C)
_ /50 /each for (ii) and III (C)
_ International (iii) is not
_ level. lapsed
API Points for Research Guidance
III Research Engineering/Agriculture/ Faculties of Languages Arts/ Max. points for Remarks
_ (D) Guidance Veterinary Science/Sciences/ Humanities/Social Sciences/ University and It will be
_ Medical Sciences Library/ Physicaleducation/ college teacher applicable
_ Management positionto all subjects
III M.Phil. Degree awarded only Degree awarded only 10/each
_ (D)(i) candidate
III Ph.D. Degree awarded only Degree awarded only 25/each For Assistant
_ (D) candidate Professors —
_ (ii) Maximum 4
_ students,
_ Associate
_ Professors — 6
_ students and
_ Professors — 8
_ students at a
_ time
_ (Co-supervisor
_ is also considered
_ as supervisor)
API Points for Training Courses and Conference/Seminars/Workshop
III(E) Training Courses and Conference/Seminars/Workshop Remarks
III(E)(i)Refresher courses, a) Not less than two 20/each It will be
_ Methodology workshops, weeksduration applicable to
Training, Teaching-Learning (b) One week duration 10/each all subjects
_ -Evaluation Technology
_ Programmes, Soft Skills
_ development Programmes,
_ Faculty Development
_ Programmes
For Ph.D holders, One Orientation and One Refresher course is compulsory for the promotion from First stage to Second stage, Teachers who do not hold a Ph.D degree, one Orientation and two Refresher courses are compulsory for the promotion from first stage to second stage. From second stage onwards one Refresher is compulsory for all promotion within the period. That means those who have a Ph.D degree at joining time, after 4 years may get the promotion at first stage, and those who do not hold a Ph.D degree during the time of appointment, 6 years will be completed for the second stage promotion. Teachers who have M.Phil. at the time of joining, should be promoted after 5years from first stage to second stage. After the first stage of promotion, the period shall be the same for all categories of teachers.
API Score for Awards
III (F) Awards (National or International or Regional levels)
1. Nobel Prize in any Discipline 1000 points/award All the winners
2. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 900 points/award should be given
_ money 5 crore and above other than Nobel prize equal importance;
3. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 800 points/award sharing of prize
_ money 3 crore to below 5 crore (with or without certificate) money is not to
4. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 750 points/award be considered,
_ money 2 crore to below 3 crore (with or without certificate) consider only the
5. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 700 points/award value of the
_ money 1 crore to below 2 crore (with or without certificate) prizes.
6. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 500 points/award
_ money 50 Lakh to below 1 crore (with or without certificate)
7. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 200 points/award
_ money 25 Lakh to below 50 Lakhs (with or without certificate)
8. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 100 points/award
_ money 10 Lakh to below 25 Lakhs (with or without certificate)
9. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 50 points/awards
_ money 5 Lakh to below 10 Lakhs (with or without certificate)
10. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 25 points/award
_ money 1 Lakh to below 5 Lakhs (with or without certificate)
11. International/National level/Regional level prize with prize 20 points/award
_ money below 1 Lakh (with or without certificate)
12. International/National level/Regional level prize without prize 20 point/awards
_ money but has a Certificate
Appendix 1. Minimum API Score recommended for the promotion of Teachers under career advancement Scheme (CAS) in Colleges and Departments of Universities
Sl. Stages Minimum eligibility criteria
_ No.
1. Assistant Professor/ Minimum 4 years Teaching Experience as Assistant professor with
_ equivalent cadres: Ph.D. at the time of entry to the Service with 400 points of API
_ (Stage 1 to Stage 2) (300 points from first category remaining 100 points from category
_ 2 and category 3; there is no separate minimum point from
_ category 2 and category 3) In case of M.Phil. at entry time, 5 years
_ teaching experience as Assistant Professor with 400 API Score
_ (300 points from first category remaining 100 points from category
_ 2 and category 3; there is no separate minimum point from category 2
_ and category 3) NET qualified candidate without Ph. D. or M. Phil at
_ entry time, 6 years with 400 API Score (300 points from first category
_ remaining 100 points from category 2 and category; there is no
_ separate minimum point from category 2 and category 3)
2. Assistant Professor/ Minimum 4 years Teaching Experience as Assistant professor
_ equivalent cadres: (stage 2) with 400 points of API (300 points from first category
_ (Stage 2 to Stage 3) remaining 100 points from category 2 and category; there is no
_ separate minimum point from category 2 and category 3)
3. Assistant Professor Minimum 4 years Teaching Experience as Assistant professor
_ (Stage 3) to Associate (stage 3) with 400 points of API (300 points from first category
_ Professor/equivalent remaining 100 points from category 2 and category; there is no
_ cadres (Stage 4) separate minimum point from category 2 and category 3) with Ph.D.
4. Associate Professor Minimum 3 Years as Associate Professor (stage 4) with 450 point of
_ (Stage 4) to Professor/ API (225 points from first category remaining 100 points from
_ equivalent cadres category 2 and category; there is no separate minimum point from
_ (Stage 5) category 2 and category 3). In addition to the above qualifications
_ produced minimum 5 Ph.D. during their service. Interview also to
_ be conducted.
5 Professor (Stage 5) to Minimum 3 Years as Professor (stage 5) with 500 point of API
_ Professor (Stage 6) (225 points from first category remaining 100 points from category
_ 2 and category; there is no separate minimum point from category
_ 2 and category 3). In addition to the above qualifications produced
_ 7 Ph.D. during their service. Produced Ph.D. in any stage is also
_ added to this stage.Interview also to be conducted.
Minimum API score recommended to be applied for the Post of Assistant Professor (stage 1) — Entry Level in Colleges and Departments of Universities
With Written Examination conducted by Public Service Commissions in different States of India or other reputed agencies
Mark of written examination out of 100 Maximum — 100 Mark
Mark in Post Graduate level
_ 90% and above 90%— 50 marks
_ 75% to 89% - 49 Marks Maximum — 50 Mark
_ 65% to 74% - 48 Marks
_ 55% to 64 % - 45 Marks
_ Below 55% -42 Marks
Interview — 20 Marks Maximum 20 Marks
Other related contributionsTeaching experience Maximum - 4 marks
_ (in College Level only) — 1 mark/ year —
_ Maximum 4 years to be counted
Research articles published in ISSN Journals—2/ Maximum - 6 Marks
_ article (maximum 3 numbers to be counted)
NET only —10 marks Maximum — 17 Marks
_ NET with M.Phil — 12 Marks
_ Ph.D. — 15 marks
_ NET with Ph.D. —16 Marks
_ NET with M.Phil and Ph.D. —17 Marks
Post Doctoral Fellowship — 3 Marks Maximum — 3 Marks
Maximum Mark 200
Without Written Examination (Interview only)
Mark in Post Graduate level Maximum — 50 Mark
_ Mark in Post Graduate level
_ 90% and above 90%— 50 marks
_ 75% to 89% - 49 Marks
_ 65% to 74% - 48 Marks
_ 55% to 64 % - 45 Marks
_ Below 55% -42 Marks
Interview — 20 Marks Maximum 20 Marks
Other related contributions Maximum - 4 marks
_ Teaching experience (in College Level only)—1 mark/
_ year — Maximum 4 years to be counted
*Research articles published in ISSN Journals—2/ Maximum - 6 Marks
_ article (maximum 3 numbers to be counted)
NET only —10 marks Maximum — 17 Marks
_ NET with M.Phil — 12 Marks
_ Ph.D. — 15 marks
_ NET with Ph.D. —16 Marks
_ NET with M.Phil and Ph.D. —17 Marks
Post Doctoral Fellowship — 3 Marks Maximum — 3 Marks
Maximum Mark 100
*For entry cadre All Research articles to be considered as articles published in Journals; no weightage will be given to Journal with impact factor or Journal without impact factor.
Direct Appointments of Outstanding faculties as teachers in various Departments of Universities and other Colleges (Maximum of 25 per cent appointments to be permitted as direct entry)
Category 1. Appointment of Assistant Professors (Extraordinary personalities):
Very few people have extraordinary efficiency in various fields and they give more outstanding contributions to the society through Research and other related activities, but they have little / perhaps no experience in the field of teaching; under such a situation a minimum eligibility with 2000 API score shall be earned to get appointed as Assistant Professors without any written test or Interview. Age limit is compulsory as per the Universities.
Category 2. Direct Appointment of Associate Professors (equivalent in stage 4):
Qualification: Ph.D with 8 years experience as Assistant Professors in College level or in University Departments/ Scientist of Minimum cadre C in reputed Research Institute with minimum of 2500 API (there is no separate minimum for different category). In addition to the above qualifications, produced minimum 5 number of Ph.D in their service and add the points achieved in Interview.
Category 3. Direct Appointment of Professors (equivalent in stage 5):
Qualification: Ph.D with 10 years experience as Assistant Professor/ Associate Professor in College level or in University Departments/ Scientist of minimum cadre C in reputed Research Institute with 3000 API (there is no separate minimum for different category). In addition to the above qualifications, produced 10 Ph.D in their service and their mark in Interview. Minimum 2 patents in their credit is an additional advantage.
Category 4. Direct Appointment of Professors (equivalent in stage 6):
Qualification: Ph.D with 10 years experience as Assistant Professor/ Associate Professor in College level or in University Departments/ Scientist of minimum cadre C in reputed Research Institute with 3000 API (there is no separate minimum for different category). In addition to the above qualification, produced 10 Ph.D in their service and got an award not below than 10 lakhs rupees and the performance in the Interview. Minimum 3 patents in their credit is an additional advantage.
How to conduct Interview?
In this article it is suggested that Interview may not be conducted for the promotion of teachers from stage 1 to stage 4 i.e. from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor. But Interview will be conducted for the promotion of Teachers from Stage 4 to 5 and stage 5 to 6; Associate Professor to Professor (cadre 5), Professor (Cadre 5) to Professor (Cadre 6) as per the modified rule. Maximum mark for Interview is 90 points (20 per cent of minimum API Score) for the promotion of Associate professor to Professor Cadre 5 and 100 points (20 per cent of Minimum API Score) for the promotion of Professor (Cadre 5) to Professor (Cadre 6). One who achieves 50% points in the interview will be promoted. But those who are shortlisted for the Interview must achieve a minimum API score which has already been mentioned in this article.
Interview for Direct Appointment of Teachers in different stage
It has already been mentioned in the article the interview pattern for Entry cadre, Assistant Professor to a College or any other departments of Universities. Similarly Interview will be conducted for direct appointment of Associate Professor and Professor, cadre 5 and Professor, cadre 6.
For the direct appointment of Associate Professor in a college or in any Department of Universities, 100 point for interview, 150 point for the direct selection of Professor (Cadre 5) and 200 point for the direct selection of Professor (Cadre 6). One who achieves these minimum points in the interview will be added to his API score and finally could publish the Rank list based on their final Score.
How to solve other problems?
Problem No. 1. Calculation of points of Faculty improvement Programme/ Post Doctoral Fellowship of teachers already in service.
In the above situation, achieving the minimum points from Category 1 (Teaching, Learning and Evaluation related activities) is difficult to the teachers, because of their physical absence. There is only one solution to overcome the situation, that is, minimum 75 points is to be given to the teachers per year in this category, (maximum 2 years permitted for Post Doctoral Fellowship and maximum 3 year for Faculty Improvement Programme in their whole service). The points from the remaining two categories (category 2 and 3) are to be achieved by the teachers by their own effort).
Problem No. 2. Achieving minimum score/points in the period of promotion stage from one stage to next stage
Most of the teachers have to achieve minimum API score during the different stages of their promotion at proper time as per the above Tables. But some faculty members might face some difficulties to achieve the minimum score at the allotted time scale. In this situation Universities should consider these people with some relaxation. For example if one person achieve only 300 points after the completion of 4 years working as Assistant Professor having Ph.D at entry Cadre in a College/in a University Departments, instead of the minimum API score of 400 (300 minimum from Category 1 and remainimg100 points to be achieved from category 2 and 3) he/she will be promoted to the next stage but by allottingthem one more year to achieve the minimum score of API. The period for the next stage (stage 2 onwards) promotion is calculated only after achieving the first stage. That means some people will be getting their promotion at proper time but a few people take a little more years than the normal period, for getting their promotion from one stage to the next stage.
Problem 3. Persons achieve more points than minimum score for a stage promotion
Sometimes certain faculty members might achieve more points during the completion of one stage, for example in stage one, if they achieve 500 points and the minimum score required for their promotion is only 400 points. Here a suggestion is to be made that 400 points will be used for the next stage promotion. The remaining points will not be counted for the next stage or not to transfer to at any stage. That means the remaining score will be lapsed in normal stage of promotion. In addition to these once used the API Score, it will not be counted at any stage of promotion. However, the all API score will be counted for Direct Appointment of Associate Professor and Professor Post in the Colleges or Departments of Universities.
Introduce a New Cadre in between Assistant
Professor and Associate Professor
In the present article a chance to introduce a new cadre between Assistant Professor and Associate Professor, has been discussed because those having completed 12 years of service as Assistant Professor may be promoted to the post of Associate Professor. He/she will again have a chance to get promoted to the post of Professor after three years, with respect to the minimum API score and with the performance in the interview. For overcoming the problem, one extra Cadre; Junior Associate Professor or Associate Professor—Junior with a new pay scale should be allotted after the completion of stage 2.
Who can act as a Principal in a College?
In the present scenario, seniority is the yardstick for the appointment of Principal in a college, but in this article an attempt has been made in discussing a chance to introduce qualification based outstanding contribution for the principal appointment in colleges. That means the one who has been shortlisted for a principal vacancy should have at least 10 years teaching experience as Assistant Professor/Associate Professor in colleges with 1500 API and should have already produced a minimum of 3 Ph.Ds in their service with a minimum of 3 years remaining service. Interview also to be conducted for the appointment of the post of principal. After the interview, the API score of the candidate will be added to the interview marks and finally to be published in the Rank list. And also here suggesting that the principal should be appointed for a maximum period of 3 years, and thereafter he/she may be or may not be continued based on the performance of a second interview.
Who should be selected as Dean of the University?
The Dean of the University will be selected from a seniority list, prepared from all Professors of the University, including various Departments of Universities and Colleges. After the preparation of the seniority list, first person in the rank list shall be appointed as the Dean of the respective faculty/subject with tenure of a maximum of three years. In addition to this, in every year the list shall be renewed if the situation demands. The faculty members once selected and appointed for the post may not to be considered for the same any further.
Who will act as the Vice-Chancellor of a University?
Here we are suggesting that people with outstanding contribution to the society through Teaching/ Research should be selected as Vice-Chancellor of a University. For this Post the requirement is a minimum of 15 years Teaching experience in a College or in a Department of Universities, and in this period a minimum of 4 year work as Associate Professor or Professor stage 5 or 6 with 3000 API and production of a minimum of 15 Ph.Ds during their service. In addition the candidate should have won a Prize of more than 25 lakhs. The overall performance in interview also is to be considered for the post. If suppose no candidate is reported for the selection of the post with the above mentioned API score and criteria, the candidates with maximum score shortlisted may be posted as Vice Chancellor in-charge of a University.
When to get introduced?
There is no clarification formed in any university in India for introducing the API score, but it is believed to have been already introduced from 2010. There is confusion regarding the API score. However, certain teachers score in APIs in category 1/first stage, while certain others doesn't even score at all. For overcoming the situation same priority should be given to both teachers and may be promoted to the next stage. Such relaxations shall be provided to the teachers of all faculties only for a single time. But no such relaxations to be given to the next stage promotion of direct appointment of Associate Professor or Professor in a College of any Department of Universities.
Conclusion
The above suggestions of all three categories may be useful for the preparation of the API Score in all subjects. But some difficulties may come in case of Teachers working in Physical Education and Library Sciences during the time of calculation of their API score in category 1. For such persons a new pattern will help to achieve the minimum score in category 1. However, in this article no new pattern for such faculty members has been mentioned. But here also it is suggested that the minimum 25 per cent posts of Associate Professors and Professors in colleges or Departments of Universities will be appointed from direct recruitment other than seniority in faculties.
Santhoshkumar, R. is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department, Post-Graduate Studies and Research Centre of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram. Neethu, S. Kumar is an Assistant Professor, Post-Graduate Department and Research Centre of Botany, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram. They can be contacted at e-mails santhoshkumar30576[at]gmail.com and neethu777[at]gmail.com respectively.