19/08/2026
JK Higher Education Department Must Act Now: Enhance Salaries of Contractual Assistant Professors Omar Abdullah
The recent order issued by Cluster University of Srinagar for the Academic Session 2026–27, providing a consolidated remuneration of ₹35,000 per month to Contractual Assistant Professors, is a welcome and encouraging development. Similarly, the enhancement of remuneration for contractual Assistant Professors in Ladakh has given fresh hope to thousands of highly qualified teachers serving in the higher education sector.
However, the J&K Higher Education Department continues to remain unmoved on the long-pending demand for a meaningful enhancement in the remuneration of Contractual/Academic Arrangement Assistant Professors.
It is important to remember that these teachers are not merely temporary workers. They are highly qualified academicians, many holding Ph.D., NET and other advanced qualifications, who shoulder the responsibility of teaching students, conducting examinations, preparing academic records, mentoring students and performing numerous institutional duties. Despite carrying out responsibilities similar to those performed by regular faculty, many contractual teachers continue to receive disproportionately low remuneration and remain without adequate job security or service benefits.
The disparity becomes even more concerning when neighbouring institutions and administrations are taking steps towards improving the remuneration of contractual faculty, while the J&K Higher Education Department has yet to provide a comparable and dignified revision.
We, therefore, earnestly appeal to Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education Ms. Sakina Itoo, and the Director Colleges, J&K, to kindly intervene in the matter at the earliest and initiate a comprehensive review of the existing remuneration structure.
Our humble demands include:
Immediate enhancement of remuneration of Contractual/Academic Arrangement Assistant Professors.
Rationalisation of pay in accordance with applicable UGC norms/guidelines and government policy.
Consideration of the principle of “equal pay for equal work”, wherever legally applicable.
Recognition of the qualifications, experience and academic responsibilities of contractual faculty.
A dignified and transparent policy regarding continuation, service conditions and remuneration.
Removal of the growing disparity between contractual faculty working under different higher-education institutions/regions.
The issue is not merely about an increase in salary—it is about dignity, fairness, recognition and justice for the teaching community. A faculty member who dedicates years to educating and shaping the future of students deserves a remuneration structure that reflects the responsibility and qualifications attached to the profession.
We sincerely hope that the J&K Government and Higher Education Department will listen to the genuine concerns of Contractual Assistant Professors and take a positive decision without further delay.
Our demand is simple: Respect our work, recognise our qualifications, and provide us a fair and dignified remuneration.
