In Indian society, teaching is a noble profession that provides a stable and honorable career and salary. This position requires high responsibility because a teacher is in charge of the children and their future. If you want to become a college lecturer and have a strong desire to do so, you must be aware of the specifics of how to become a lecturer.
You need a substantial percentage and a degree pass in the subject you intend to teach, such as first-class or upper second class. If you have experience as a teacher, it is also highly valued.
You should complete a bachelor’s degree, a post-graduate degree, and a Ph.D. in the field of your choice to become a lecturer. You need to obtain the UGC NET Certificate once passed the exam.
From 2023 onwards, a Ph.D. degree will be required for all persons wishing to join university departments as assistant professors, according to the latest UGC guideline.
You can apply for Assistant Professor positions in reputable colleges and universities around the country once you pass the exam and acquire the UGC NET Certificate.
Eligibility to become a Lecturer
- To become a government college lecturer, you must first meet some mandatory requirements.
- The University Grants Commission (UGC) has made some academic degrees mandatory. You must have your higher-secondary or 10+2 from a recognized board in any stream.
- You should have a graduation and post-graduation from a recognized university. To apply for the lecturer position in any government college, you should have a JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) holder or a UGC NET qualified candidate.
- According to a new NTA rule, applicants who have completed their post-graduate studies in a specific topic will be permitted to apply for only that subject in the UGC NET exam.
Advantages of becoming a Lecturer
Teaching is a rewarding profession that provides financial benefits and job security and allows you to interact with the younger generation and contribute to the shaping of students’ and society’s futures.
It is one of the most appealing career alternatives since teaching provides more stability, competitive pay, job security, and numerous vacation days. In addition to these benefits, teachers are treated with respect in society.
- Being a lecturer entails instructing university students in a specific field of study. A professor is essentially a specialized educator of a particular subject who also does research and studies in the area of expertise.
- There is an age requirement of 33 to 48 years to apply for the position of Assistant Professor so it can be an excellent opportunity for you. Many students pick this career path after gaining prior experience, which can help them land a job.
- As a result, the UGC has not established an age limit for lectureship positions. If you become a lecturer, you can also consider working in a coaching center to mentor students in your field.
- However, to become a lecturer or associate professor, you’ll need to devote a significant amount of time to studying for the UGC NET exam, as well as additional exams such as GATE or SLET.
Qualifications that a Lecturer should possess
- To pursue a career as a government college lecturer, you must learn a set of skills in addition to meeting the qualifying requirements.
- Teaching is not just about occupation but a strong desire to learn more about the subject. To develop new educational ideas, you’ll need to be creative.
- To become a lecturer, you should expand your knowledge and excellent communication skill.
- You must possess the ability to solve problems. Time management is an important skill.
- To apply for the position of Lecturer, the candidate must have a Master’s Degree in the concerned or relevant field and an excellent academic record throughout their academic career.
- Candidates should have a passing score on the National Eligibility Test (NET) or equivalent from the UGC/CSIR or a Ph.D. in the relevant discipline.
- A lecturer must have a Ph.D. in the appropriate field and have published high-quality work with a minimum of 5 publications as research or policy papers with evidence of Published work.
How to become a Lecturer?
There are numerous paths to becoming a lecturer. You should pass the National Eligibility Test (NET) to become a lecturer. To apply for this exam, the candidate must hold a Master’s Degree from a recognized university with at least 55 percent marks.
Candidates who pass this exam are entitled to apply for the position of Assistant Professor. To qualify for the State Eligibility Test, an applicant must hold a Master’s degree with at least 55 percent marks and a great understanding of the subject.
There is a significant distinction. The difference between NET and SLET is that NET-qualified candidates can apply for assistant professorships at any Indian institute or college. In contrast, candidates who have passed the SLET can only apply to state universities or colleges.
You should take a government recruitment exam for the same position at a government university and then finish your Ph.D. and apply for a lecturer position later. You must accept the competitive tests to pursue a career as a lecturer.
State Level Eligibility Test
The National Testing Agency also administers the SLET, a state-level examination. If you can pass the exam SLET, you’ll be able to apply to and work in-state colleges and universities.
National Eligibility Test
NET, also known as UGC NET, is a competitive exam to select candidates for lecturer and JRF positions. You must have a master’s degree from a recognized university with a 55 percent grade to apply for this exam.
You can apply for Assistant Professor positions in reputable colleges and universities around the country once you pass the exam and acquire the UGC NET Certificate.
The National Testing Agency administers the CSIR NET exam, a national-level exam. Chemical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Earth Sciences are among the subjects covered by the exam.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
The Graduate Aptitude Test or GATE is an all-India competitive test administered by the GATE Committee, consisting of faculty members from IISc, Bangalore, and the seven IITs.
After publishing your research papers as a Ph.D. thesis, you can use your GATE score to pursue a Ph.D. and then apply for lecturer positions at IITs or NITs after publishing your research papers as a Ph.D. thesis.
Different types of Lecturers
Based on many parameters, there are various sorts of lecturers. In India, there are several ranks for lecturers based on seniority. Lecturers are entry-level positions in academia.
- Applicants are promoted to Associate Professor after several years of working as a lecturer.
- An Associate Professor’s job entails attending conferences, conducting research, teaching, and overseeing students’ course work.
- After that, you can get promoted to the post of Assistant Professor. One must typically work for 6 to 8 years to obtain this rank.
- Professor is the highest title for lecturers. You must have a Ph.D. degree and be actively involved in publication efforts at this stage.
- A professor’s profession includes instructing university students in a specific field of study.
- A professor is essentially a specialized educator of a particular subject who also does research and studies in the area of expertise.
- HOD is another excellent position in this field responsible for leading and managing a specific educational department inside a university or higher education institution.
Responsibilities of a Lecturer
A professor’s responsibilities do not end with classroom teaching and lectures. They have a lot more obligations, such as monitoring, advising, keeping records, overseeing, conducting research, and giving presentations, to name a few.
- For their classes, lecturers prepare syllabi, lectures, and laboratories.
- The lecturers also grade the class assignments.
- A lecturer should supervise and assist students with their research projects.
- A lecturer often writes papers in preparation for publication in scholarly journals presentations about higher education at various institutes.
- A lecturer should investigate new educational breakthroughs and deliver public talks.
- A lecturer may counsel the pupils to introduce new learning strategies outside of class.
- A lecturer should attend numerous seminars and lead educational tours.
- So, we can see a lecturer’s responsibilities are not limited to those that occur within the limits of a classroom or lecture hall.
- A lecturer should assist students with their theses or other assignments and organize college field excursions and seminars.
Career and scope
There is a great scope and chance to reach the top if you have good academics and a desire to be a lecturer in a government college. Candidates holding a master’s degree in a specific discipline can apply for the NET exam, and if the quality is the LS, they can be hired as lecturers.
Candidates can also pursue a Ph.D. degree in higher education. The research topic can be in the same field where one teaches or has a master’s degree.
- Many lecturers work as both a lecturer and doctoral candidates. A doctoral degree is required for higher-level positions, as are published research papers.
- Fresh post-graduates with a UGC NET or CSIR NET score begin their careers as lecturers or Assistant Professors, progressing to Associate Professors after some time.
- Candidates can now start working in various Professorial positions available in various fields.
- You can work in Institutions that focus on research.
- You can also work on portals for Online Coaching.
- You can also work in multinational organizations.
- You can work on various Government institutions.
- Several IITs (Indian Institute of Technology) also hire lecturers, generally paying hugely.
Salary of a Lecturer in India
Being a lecturer, one can contact young students and immediately speak and converse with them. Another advantage is that candidates can keep practicing what they’ve learned. The pay scale is determined by experience, location, and college.
- The starting wage package is Rs. 40,000 initially and can go up to Rs. 1 lakh per month with experience and expertise.
- If you want a good wage and flexible working hours, this is the job for you.
- Lecturers in India earn between INR 4,85,000 and INR 8,10,000 per year.
- However, the final wage will be determined by the candidate’s specialization and the nature of the college, whether public or private.
FAQ: How to become a lecturer in Government Colleges?
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What steps should one take to become a lecturer at a government institution?
Assistant Professor is an entry-level position in government institutions. Candidates can receive this title after passing the UGC NET or CSIR NET examinations. Vacancies are announced on the official website once someone qualifies for the exam.
- Is it difficult to get a job as a lecturer?
Even if they are brilliant and have plenty of experience, securing a permanent academic job can be challenging. Often lecturers may be forced to work temporarily, compromising their long-term job security and increasing the probability of recurrent relocation.
- How long does it take to become a government college professor in India?
It could take you 7 to 9 years to become a college professor.
- What should I do after graduating to pursue a career as a lecturer?
If you want to be a lecturer after graduation, you must complete your post-graduation and take the UGC NET test.
- Is a doctorate required for working as a lecturer or professor?
A master’s degree and a doctoral degree are necessary for the lecturer position.
- What are the minimum requirements for becoming a lecturer?
To begin working as a lecturer, applicants must have a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in their chosen profession. This criterion applies to both public and private educational institutions.
- What is the most delicate subject for a lecturer?
If you want to work as a professor, you must first complete a master’s degree in one of your graduating subjects. You should also prepare for the CSIR-national UGC’s Eligibility Test (NET) in your postgraduate subject.
- In India, what is the pay scale for lecturers?
In India, a lecturer’s salaries range from INR 4,85,000 to INR 8,10,000 LPA, depending on work experience.
- Is it a good idea to work as a lecturer?
As a lecturer, your job is very undemanding, regardless of how difficult the material you must teach is. You can prepare for the class and do an excellent job learning it; you need a little passion.
Conclusion: How to become a lecturer in Government Colleges?
A lecturer is essentially a specialized educator of a specific subject who also does research and studies in the field of their expertise. If you have the on-the-ground necessary knowledge to become a college lecturer, you can also choose to produce research papers and work in private or public colleges.
Lecturer employment provides a high level of job security. The employment stability varies depending on whether the college is public or private and the specialization.
The overall job security graph for lecturers is improving. Lecturers assist students not just with their jobs but also with their self-esteem and personalities.
Students remember their professors for the rest of their lives. A university lecturer’s income rises when they take on more duties and tasks in teaching, research, administration, and management.
University teachers who get to the level of professors earn much more. A lecturer in a college or university can instruct both undergraduate and post-graduate students.
