UGC Salary Approval for Model College Teachers: Major Decision by Maharashtra Cabinet

The Maharashtra Cabinet has recently taken a significant decision offering major relief to teachers at seven of the state's 'Model Colleges.' Under this new approval, teachers at these institutions will receive a basic salary in accordance with the norms of the University Grants Commission (UGC). In addition to this, they will be entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA) and a benefit of 10 additional marks in future recruitment processes. Many teachers, who have long been working on an hourly basis, had been awaiting this decision; consequently, it is being seen as a pivotal step within the education sector.

We are writing on this subject because the quality of an education system depends significantly on the stability and respect granted to its teachers. When teachers face uncertainty, the impact naturally extends to their students as well. In my view, this decision will not only provide financial relief to teachers but will also serve to strengthen the landscape of higher education in the state's underdeveloped districts.

In accordance with a government decision, teachers will be granted basic pay and Dearness Allowance (DA) as per UGC norms, along with an additional 10 marks for appointments within the Department of Higher and Technical Education. This is being regarded as a significant recognition for the teachers. Seven model colleges in Maharashtra have been brought under the purview of these benefits. These colleges are located in Jalna, Buldhana, Raigad, Hingoli, Gadchiroli, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. These institutions were originally established under a central scheme in districts characterised by low enrollment rates.

A total of 43 courses are currently offered across these seven colleges. At present, 2,510 students are enrolled here, 134 teachers are working on an hourly basis, and there are 61 non-teaching staff members. For a long time, many teachers had been demanding permanent appointments and regular salaries. The Cabinet has approved new positions for each college: the appointment of a Principal and the appointment of an Honorary Professor. As a result, the administration of the colleges and the quality of education are expected to improve further.

Teachers and staff members had filed a petition in court demanding the regularisation of their services. Subsequently, the government introduced a new proposal regarding this matter. In my view, this shows that the government has finally taken concrete steps to resolve this long-standing issue. Several other major decisions were also taken during this meeting, such as the approval of the new Compressed Biogas Policy 2026, the allocation of land for an IT Park in the Satara district, and amendments to agricultural land laws. However, within the education sector, the approval of UGC pay scales stands out as one of the most widely discussed decisions.