Tripura High Court Has Directed Two Government Colleges Not To Publish The Final Results Of Their Guest Lecturer Recruitment Process

The Tripura High Court has directed two government colleges in Tripura not to publish the final results of their Guest Lecturer recruitment process after candidates challenged the recruitment advertisements, alleging that the prescribed qualifications and honorarium were not in conformity with University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.

The matter is W.P.(C) No. 730 of 2026, filed by aspiring candidates including Tushi Chakma. The petition challenges advertisements issued by Swami Vivekananda Mahavidyalaya, Mohanpur, and Government Degree College, Khumulwng, for engagement of Guest Lecturers.

According to the petitioners, the advertisements prescribed only a Master’s degree as the educational qualification and fixed an honorarium of Rupees 500 per class. Their counsel argued that the applicable UGC norms require Guest Faculty to possess qualifications prescribed for Assistant Professors, including the applicable requirements relating to NET, SLET or SET, or Ph.D. qualification. The petitioners also contended that the UGC-prescribed honorarium for Guest Faculty is Rupees 1,500 per lecture.

The petitioners further pointed out that a substantial number of sanctioned Assistant Professor posts remain vacant in the State’s higher educational institutions, making guest lecturers important for meeting teaching requirements. They argued that guest faculty should receive the honorarium prescribed under the applicable UGC norms.

After hearing the matter, the High Court, presided over by Justice S. Datta Purkayastha, directed the concerned colleges not to publish the final results of the Guest Lecturer selection process until further orders. Notice was also issued to the State Government seeking its response.

The issue is particularly significant as the Tripura Higher Education Department has recently permitted government colleges and other institutions to engage Guest/Visiting Lecturers for 11 months during the 2026–27 academic year, with an honorarium of Rupees 500 per class. The High Court proceedings will therefore have a bearing on the legal questions surrounding the qualifications and remuneration applicable to guest faculty in State-run institutions.

Case No: IA No.01 of 2026 in WP(C) No.730 of 2026
Tushi Chakma and another ……Applicant(s); V E R S U S The State of Tripura and others ……Respondent(s);
For Applicant(s) : Mr. Koomar Chakraborty, Advocate, For Respondent(s) : Mr. D. Sarma, Addl. G.A.

Download the order: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1l5zXCx8nlslfvTUz_woTi_B0QY0Dmzmy/view?usp=sharing