More than 5,400 teaching positions remain vacant across central universities in India, with over half of them reserved for candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC), Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (March 12).

In response to a written query, Majumdar revealed that as of January 31, 2025, a total of 5,410 teaching posts were unfilled, including 788 positions for SCs, 472 for STs, and 1,521 for OBCs, news agency PTI reported.

The minister stated that while 7,825 teaching positions have been filled in central universities through special recruitment drives, vacancies continue to arise due to retirements, resignations, and increasing student enrollment. He emphasized that the responsibility of filling these positions lies with the respective central universities.

“Occurring of vacancies and filling thereof is a continuous process. The vacancies arise due to retirement, resignation and additional requirements on account of enhanced students’ strength and the onus of filling up the posts lies on the Central Universities," PTI quoted Majumdar as saying.

The statement highlights the persistent faculty shortage in higher education institutions despite recruitment efforts, raising concerns about the impact on academic standards and student learning experiences.