SRINAGAR, April 19, 2025 – The Jammu & Kashmir administration’s proposal to extend the retirement age of college and university professors based on merit has ignited a heated debate, with critics warning that the policy risks becoming a facade for perpetuating privilege under the guise of performance. The plan, aimed at retaining experienced academics, has raised concerns about fairness, transparency, and its potential to exacerbate existing inequalities in the region’s higher education system.
The policy, currently under consideration, would allow professors to continue serving beyond the standard retirement age of 62, potentially up to 65, based on a merit-based evaluation of their academic contributions, research output, and institutional impact. While the administration frames the move as a strategy to address faculty shortages and retain talent in Jammu & Kashmir’s colleges and universities, skeptics argue it could favor well-connected academics while sidelining younger scholars and contractual lecturers.
“This is at risk of becoming another tale of privilege dressed as performance,” noted a recent editorial in Kashmir Observer, reflecting sentiments shared by many in academic circles. Critics point to the stark disparities within J&K’s academic workforce, where contractual lecturers earn a meager ₹28,000 ($340) per month, unchanged for years, while tenured professors stand to gain extended salaries averaging ₹7.2 million per person for an additional three years. Such disparities, they argue, undermine the policy’s meritocratic claims and deepen systemic inequities.
The proposal comes amid broader efforts to reform J&K’s education sector, which faces challenges like outdated curricula, infrastructure deficits, and a shortage of permanent faculty. Supporters of the extension argue that retaining seasoned professors could stabilize institutions, particularly in specialized fields where replacements are scarce. “Experienced faculty are vital for mentoring students and driving research,” said a senior official from the Higher Education Department, speaking anonymously. However, the lack of clear, objective criteria for “merit” has fueled skepticism, with fears that evaluations could be influenced by favoritism or institutional politics.
Contractual lecturers, who form a significant portion of J&K’s academic workforce, have voiced frustration over the policy’s implications. “While permanent professors get extended benefits, we struggle with stagnant wages and job insecurity,” said a contractual lecturer from Srinagar, echoing sentiments shared on platforms like X. Many see the plan as prioritizing an elite academic class, leaving younger educators—often from less privileged backgrounds—without pathways to permanent roles.
The debate also touches on broader issues of governance in J&K, where policies often face scrutiny for lacking inclusivity. Posts on X have highlighted the policy as “sheer injustice,” questioning why funds are allocated to extend tenured professors’ careers while contractual staff remain underpaid. Critics argue that resources would be better invested in hiring new faculty, modernizing facilities, or increasing salaries for underpaid lecturers to address the sector’s systemic challenges.
The J&K administration has yet to finalize the policy, with consultations ongoing to define evaluation metrics and address public concerns. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, known for his focus on educational reform, has emphasized merit-based governance, but the controversy underscores the challenge of balancing talent retention with equity. As the region strives for progress in higher education, the outcome of this policy will test its commitment to fairness and transparency.
