India's academic sector is seeing a significant hiring push this year as two major central educational bodies have floated recruitment notifications for teaching positions. The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has announced openings for 40 faculty posts across three levels — professors, associate professors, and assistant professors — while the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is recruiting for 117 assistant professor positions, bringing the combined total to over 157 vacancies.
The University of Hyderabad, located in Telangana, is a central university established under an act of Parliament and is widely regarded as one of India's premier research-intensive institutions. Its 2026 recruitment drive covers multiple disciplines and departments, with salaries falling within the Level 10 to Level 14 pay bands of the 7th Central Pay Commission, ranging from ₹57,700 per month at the entry level for assistant professors up to ₹2,18,200 per month for full professors. The last date to apply online is March 6, 2026.
NCERT, headquartered in New Delhi, is a statutory body under the Ministry of Education responsible for framing curriculum, conducting educational research, and developing teaching materials used across schools and teacher-training institutions throughout India. Its recruitment of 117 assistant professors will fill gaps across various subject specializations. The salary structure for these posts ranges from ₹57,700 to ₹1,44,200 per month, corresponding to the Level 10 pay matrix. The application window closes earlier, on February 20, 2026, making it the more urgent of the two drives.
Both recruitment processes typically follow a structured selection procedure that includes a written qualifying test assessing subject mastery and teaching aptitude, followed by personal interviews. Candidates are generally required to hold a master's degree with a minimum aggregate of 55 percent (with relaxation for reserved categories), and most posts demand a valid NET/SET qualification or a PhD. Age relaxations apply as per government norms for SC, ST, OBC, and other category candidates.
These recruitments arrive at a time when several Indian universities and research institutions are actively expanding their faculty strength, reflecting both attrition from retirements and a broader push to strengthen higher education quality across the country.
