Guwahati: The Assam government has ordered the permanent retention of all teaching and non-teaching positions in provincialised colleges, ensuring their status as sanctioned posts. This directive, issued by the Higher Education Department, follows a crucial Cabinet decision made on July 10, 2026, and has come into immediate effect.

The move clarifies that these positions, integral to the functioning of provincialised colleges, will remain in existence even after an incumbent vacates the role due to retirement, resignation, death, or any other reason. Future vacancies arising in these permanently retained posts will be filled by the government in accordance with prevailing recruitment rules, statutory provisions, and established government policy.

What was announced

The Assam Higher Education Department issued a notification on July 23, 2026, formalising the permanent retention of all teaching and non-teaching posts in provincialised colleges across the state. This notification is a direct outcome of a Cabinet decision taken on July 10, 2026.

According to the directive, these retained posts are not to be considered personal appointments but rather permanent fixtures within their respective colleges. The government has clarified that the permanent retention of these posts will not create an additional financial burden on the state exchequer, as the sanctioned strength already exists and employees have been receiving regular salaries under applicable UGC/ROP pay scales since January 1, 2013.

The Director of Higher Education, Assam, has been entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the sanctioned post strength, assessing vacancies, and initiating recruitment proposals in line with government rules and policy. The government also indicated that any teaching or non-teaching positions identified as redundant due to shifts in student enrolment, rationalisation drives, or administrative reorganisations will be addressed appropriately, ensuring efficient resource management within the higher education system.

Why it matters

This decision is expected to bring significant stability and security to the higher education sector in Assam, particularly for the staff of provincialised colleges. By ensuring that posts remain sanctioned even after an incumbent leaves, the government addresses a long-standing concern regarding the continuity of employment and the systematic filling of vacancies.

The move aims to strengthen educational manpower and improve the effective functioning of colleges by providing long-term security to teaching and non-teaching positions. It will also ensure a consistent and transparent mechanism for staffing educational institutions across the state, reducing reliance on temporary or contractual staff for sanctioned roles.

Previously, a crisis had been building in Assam’s degree colleges after the state higher education department directed principals of provincialised and government colleges to remove contractual teachers and non-teaching staff. This new directive ensures that permanent, sanctioned posts will continue to be filled, thereby safeguarding the academic and administrative continuity of these institutions.

Background

The concept of “provincialisation” in Assam refers to the process by which the state government takes over the financial and administrative control of non-government educational institutions, converting the services of their existing employees into those of the state government. This grants employees government benefits, pensions, and service rights.

The Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2011, and its 2013 amendment, were pivotal in this process, bringing numerous teaching and non-teaching posts under the government’s purview. Earlier attempts at provincialisation through a 2011 law were invalidated by the High Court, leading to the enactment of the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2017, under which large-scale provincialisation has taken place.

The government has consistently emphasised the importance of quality and eligibility in teacher appointments. Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu stated on July 10, 2026, in the state assembly that the government would never compromise on quality and eligibility criteria in the appointment of teachers. He also noted that no new venture schools could legally be established after the Assam Non-Government Educational Institutions Act, 2006, came into force, with any institutions established thereafter being treated as private entities.

The issue of provincialised posts has been a recurring theme in Assam’s education policy. In June 2024, the Department of School Education also accorded permanent retention to a significant number of teaching and non-teaching posts in provincialised schools, acknowledging the need to reduce staff shortages and ensure proper functioning.

For many years, particularly after 1992, no new sanctioned posts were created in provincialised colleges, leading to a reliance on locally appointed teachers who often received less remuneration. This new decision directly addresses this long-standing issue by ensuring the permanent status of existing posts.

Key details

The notification from the Higher Education Department specifies that the permanent retention applies to all teaching and non-teaching posts established under the Assam Venture Educational Institutions (Provincialisation of Services) Act, 2011, and its 2013 amendment.

Key aspects of the directive include:

  • Post Status: All provincialised posts will continue as sanctioned posts under the Higher Education Department.
  • Continuity: Posts will remain in existence even if an incumbent retires, resigns, passes away, or vacates the role.
  • Recruitment: Future vacancies will be filled by the government following prevailing recruitment rules, statutory provisions, and government policy.
  • Financial Impact: The government has clarified that this decision will not create any additional financial burden on the state, as salaries are already being paid for existing sanctioned strength.
  • Redundant Posts: Any posts deemed redundant due to changes in student enrolment, rationalisation, or administrative restructuring will be identified and addressed in consultation with the Finance Department.

The Director of Higher Education, Assam, is now responsible for assessing vacancies and forwarding recruitment proposals to the Assam College Services Recruitment Board or Departmental Promotion Committee. Recruitment for Grade III posts, for instance, typically involves advertising vacancies in local newspapers and on college websites, alongside notification to local employment exchanges.

Reactions

“The government decided to set up a model degree college in each of the 126 Assembly constituencies in the state. We have already established 58 model degree colleges so far. The government requested proposals from the LACs that do not have model degree colleges.” Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu said in the state assembly on July 10, 2026, highlighting the broader commitment to higher education.

While specific reactions to this particular retention order are still emerging, the broader sentiment among educational stakeholders has often favoured such moves that provide stability to teaching and non-teaching staff. Teachers’ and employees’ associations have previously voiced concerns over the precariousness of contractual positions and advocated for greater security. The decision is likely to be welcomed by employees in provincialised colleges, offering them greater job security and clarity regarding their career progression.

What’s next

The order has come into immediate effect as of July 23, 2026. The Director of Higher Education, Assam, will now proceed with assessing the sanctioned post strength and identifying vacancies in provincialised colleges. The process for filling these vacancies will adhere to established government recruitment rules, which typically involve advertisement and selection through appropriate boards or committees.

The government’s focus remains on strengthening the higher education ecosystem, with other recent cabinet decisions also aiming to ease norms for private universities and enhance educational infrastructure. This permanent retention order is a crucial step in ensuring the foundational stability of existing public-funded higher education institutions.

Sources & References