In light of the recent paper leak scams, the student campaign against the National Testing Agency (NTA), especially the University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam for existing and incoming PhD scholars is a missed opportunity in several ways.
Almost 10 years ago, the ‘Occupy UGC’ movement took over the Indian higher education system and persuaded the UGC to withdraw its decision to terminate the non-Junior Research Fellowships (non-JRFs) to PhD scholars. However, in a desperate attempt to “save research” in social sciences, the student community compromised and conceded to the continuation of the meagre Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 8,000 as monthly stipend to “democratise the knowledge acquisition and production” — a PhD scholar receives a stipend of Rs 5,000 until their research proposal is approved in the second year, after which the stipend is increased to Rs 8,000. Adding to the hardship, the non-JRF fellowship remains unchanged for the past decade, while the JRF fellowship has seen a significant increase of 20% in 2023, rising to Rs 37,000 per month, plus an additional 27% monthly House Rent Allowance (HRA).
The critical question is: how far have we come since the Occupy UGC protest? Let’s look at some facts:
- Only 0.5% of all the researchers are covered through the JRF scholarship.
- Around 6% get NET certificates every time the NTA conducts an exam which qualifies someone for a lectureship in a degree college.
- As per the Delhi government rules, semi-skilled and skilled workers are entitled to Rs 19,279 and Rs 21,215 minimum wage per month, respectively while a PhD scholar in central universities gets 5,000 and 8,000 per month along with an eligible hostel seat.
Myopic ‘Scrap NTA’
The Left-backed ‘Scrap NTA’ protests divert attention from more pressing concerns, such as the gross underpayment of PhD scholars in central universities, who ironically celebrate their institutions’ top rankings in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) every year. The NIRF prioritises research productivity, impact, and intellectual property (RPII), but neglects the welfare of the PhD researchers, who struggle with meagre wages.
Researchers, both aspiring and current, remain silent about the prospect of higher wages, as the prestige and reputation of their universities and departments overshadow their individual achievements, perpetuating a culture of symbolic value and social capital, where conference attendance, publications, and online profiles become the ultimate measures of success.
Given the intense competition for PhD seats in central universities, it is perplexing that a fair stipend is not provided as a premium. Instead, PhD programmes are often self-financed, forcing scholars to rely on ad-hoc measures and precarious teaching jobs, which are becoming increasingly scarce and unstable.
The NTA is a mere agency brokered to conduct exams, set cut-off merits, and issue certificates while the real power lies with the UGC and the Ministry of Education which decides regulations on mechanisms, programmes, and stipends along with appointments in central universities. Dismantling it will not work unless the JRF is scrapped and all the research scholars are paid an adequate and respectable amount, at least Rs 31,000 per month, irrespective of their NET-qualified status.
The relevance of the NET certificate is dwindling, as most colleges prioritise Ph.D. and publications in their hiring process. Only a few exceptional candidates are still recruited by institutions immediately after completing their MA and obtaining a NET qualification. No wonder, to stay relevant, the NTA has undertaken the business of conducting PhD entrance exams for selected universities along with certifying students of their eligibility to teach and conduct publicly funded research. The other cause of concern is who is getting to teach, and are recruitment in institutes taking place based solely on merit?
Also read: Any Committee Looking Into the NTA Must Also Examine the Role of M Jagadesh Kumar and His UGC
It’s striking that in recruitment processes at esteemed Indian institutions, a foreign degree or even a short-term course from a foreign university is often prioritised over a degree earned from an Indian state or central university. This bias warrants attention from the students’ movement and Left-leaning students, who tend to focus on government agencies like the NTA and ministers like Dharmendra Pradhan, neglecting the pervasive influence of the state in academia, including faculty members and their affiliated political parties. Notably, post the 2024 general elections the Left parties are now better represented in the parliament through the INDIA coalition or even as individuals MPs. Recently, a Left-backed campaign featuring JNU and DU professors, Rajya Sabha MPs, and seasoned activists discussed NTA’s corruption, but surprisingly, none of the speakers addressed the plight of existing PhD scholars in India.
Raise the stipend of all PhD scholars and save merit
The argument that central universities provide hostel rooms and subsidised food is insufficient, as these benefits are equally available to all eligible students, including those pursuing BA, MA, and PhD degrees. Moreover, the global economic logic of increasing workers’ disposable income through pay hikes cannot be compared to the government’s provision of benefits, which are akin to immovable assets. The university’s benefits and perks are equally applicable to assistant professors and professors, without distinction. Therefore, all PhD scholars, not just JRF holders, should be the focus of protest movements.
Notably, PhD scholars in India’s prestigious central universities are exploited, working tirelessly without complaint, generating knowledge for the benefit of tenured scholars, online platforms, and the knowledge economy. Ironically, faculties in these universities receive annual raises, government quarters, benefits like PF and health insurance, and research grants. Meanwhile, PhD scholars in these same departments are paid paltry amounts, without even an annual increment. This stark inequality seems to escape the attention of Left activists. Furthermore, while scholarships are available for minority, ST, and SC students, upper caste students including those from economically weaker backgrounds are Left without support, except for the coveted JRF, which is often plagued by leakages and reservations that render it inaccessible.
Also read: Paltry Stipends, No Resources, Rampant Exploitation: Why PhD Scholars Suffer
To remain relevant and competitive in the next union election, the Left politics must champion the rights of PhD scholars by advocating for their fair treatment as professionals, equal and fair compensation, increased teaching assistantships and visibility. Moreover, the Left must urge the UGC to prioritise Indian PhD holders in recruitment processes, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative. This will also include pushing for mandatory preferential credits for Indian PhDs, holding the UGC and Ministry of Education accountable for promoting homegrown talent over foreign and now proliferating privatised degrees.
Prashastika Sharma is a political scientist and has MPhil in Gender Studies from Ambedkar University, Delhi in collaboration with Centre for Women’s Development Studies.
