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How to become a Professor in India | Eligibility, Key Skills, Career Opportunities, Scope, Salary Offered

How to become a Professor in India

Choosing your profession as College Professor in India is a great choice since it is one of the respected professions. Professors in India are well compensated and have a wide range of responsibilities. A Professor also reaps the benefits of engaging with the brightest minds of the future.

Thus any job seeker in India would be enticed to become a professor; because of the benefits of stability, performance, good salary, social standing, and job security. And to help you with it, here is a detailed post on how to become a professor/lecturer in India. Read further to find everything.

Eligibility Criteria to become Professor in India

The eligibility criteria to become a lecturer in India are listed below:

⦁ A candidate must have passed Class 10 & 12 or equivalent from a recognized board or university
⦁ A candidate must have obtained a graduation or post-graduation degree from a recognized university.
⦁ Candidates might also pursue a Ph.D. degree in their chosen field since certain institutes need a doctoral degree.
⦁ A qualifying score on the UGC NET/ CSIR NET or an equivalent exam is required.
⦁ Candidates can also undertake the NTA’s SLET exam to apply to state-level universities and colleges.

How to Become a Professor in India?

Candidates must obtain a Ph.D. in a relevant field from a recognized university to become a Professor. Further to become a Professor, candidates must possess certain professional abilities, such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to explain and explore new concepts, and so on. And this is the reason it is very important to check the eligibility criteria which says everything about professor qualifications in India.

Key Skills to become a Professor in India

Apart from the eligibility criteria, one must also have key skills to become a professor in India. The key skills to work as a professor in India includes

⦁ Critical Thinking
⦁ Curriculum Planning
⦁ Good Communication Skills
⦁ Expertise in a Particular Subject
⦁ Research Analysis
⦁ Learning
⦁ Teaching Skills

Check out course details of various types and learn everything about the course such as eligibility, admission process, job profiles, salary offered, etc.

Steps to become Professor in India

The steps to becoming a professor in India are explained below:

Step 1: Clearing Class 12 Exams
The first step towards becoming a professor in India is to opt for a stream in their Grade 11 and 12. If you want to become a professor in the Science stream, then you should choose the Science stream in your Grade 11 and 12. Similarly, if you want to become a professor in Arts and Commerce stream, you should choose the stream accordingly in Grade 11 & 12. A candidate must clear their Class 11 and Class 12 or equivalent exam with subject specialization.

Step 2: Enrolling for Graduation
After completing your Class 12 examination, enroll for graduation with the same subject specialization. Clear your graduation with good performance to get a better college to work as a professor.

Step 3: Enrolling for Post Graduation
You should enroll in the postgraduate program and get a minimum score of 55% to be eligible to take the NET (National Eligibility Test), which is the prerequisite for teaching at a college.

Step 4: Enrolling for PhD
You are now an associate professor. Now submit an application to undertake research at your university. An M.Phil. or Ph.D. is required for college teaching. A candidate with a Ph.D. degree also has an advantage over other candidates.

Step 5: Appearing for Competitive Exams
Students must take entrance examinations such as UGC-NET, CSIR UGC NET, GATE, and others after obtaining their Master’s degree. You can become a professor in India based on your score in a prestigious college.

It is necessary to pass the NET (National Eligibility Test) / SET (State Eligibility Test) exam in order to be appointed as a professor at a university or institution in India. The UGC (University Grants Commission) usually conducts NET twice a year, in June and December. Individuals who have passed the NET exam are entitled to apply for lecturer positions at all Indian universities, institutions, and colleges; however, SET qualified candidates are only eligible for lecturer positions in universities and colleges at the state level in which they passed the SET exam.

Roles and Responsibilities of a Professor in India

The roles and responsibilities of a professor in India are explained below:

⦁ A professor teaches one or more subjects through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
⦁ Adapt teaching techniques and instructional materials to fit the diverse needs and interests of students.
⦁ They do significant study and experimentation in order to expand their understanding.
⦁ Keep accurate and comprehensive student records in accordance with laws, district rules, and administrative requirements.
⦁ Classwork and homework should be assigned and graded.
⦁ Prepare classrooms and resources for class activities.
⦁ Observe and assess the performance, behavior, social growth, and physical health of students.
⦁ To assess students’ progress, prepare, deliver, and grade tests and assignments.

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Types of Professor in India

The following are the various employment duties that a professorship can provide:

Professor: A professor’s profession includes instructing university students in a specific field of study. A professor is essentially a specialized educator of a specific subject who also does research and studies in the field of his expertise.
Researcher: The position of the researcher is a challenging one. A researcher’s job involves conducting research, performing tests and surveys, and writing articles on the professor’s area of expertise.
Assistant Professor: As an Assistant Professor, you will be assisting a senior professor with his teaching and course design. You would also have to keep track of all of the academic activities that the senior level professor assigns to his students, as well as various areas of teaching such as course management, lecturing, and lesson preparation.
Associate Professor: An Associate Professor’s job entails attending conferences, conducting research, teaching, resolving administrative concerns, and overseeing students in their course work, among other things.
HOD: As a HOD, you would be in charge of leading and managing a certain educational department at a university or higher education institution.

Salary and Pay Scale of Professor in India

In India, an associate professor might make anywhere from Rs 16000-40,000 per month. And a professor might earn between Rs 38000 and Rs 68,000 per month.

The salary or pay scale of a professor based on the sector they are working in are explained below:

Sector/College Type Salary
Biotechnology Institutes/ Research & Development Institutes 1.9 Lakhs to 6.3 Lakhs per annum
General Education 2 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs per annum
Mechanical Engineering Institutes 1.8 Lakhs to 6.2 Lakhs per annum
Technical Colleges 1.7 Lakhs to 6.2 Lakhs per annum
Universities 3 Lakhs to 8 Lakhs per annum

Career Opportunities and Promotions to Professor

According to the stages outlined below, a professor can be promoted to the position of Vice-Chancellor.

⦁ Stage 1: Professor
⦁ Stage 2: Senior Professor
⦁ Stage 3: Professor of Eminence
⦁ Stage 4: Dean/Director
⦁ Stage 5: Pro- Vice-Chancellor
⦁ Stage 6: Vice-Chancellor
⦁ Stage 7: Chancellor

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List of Sectors to work as Professor in India

The list of institutions, where a professor can work in India are listed below:

⦁ Private Institutions
⦁ Government Institutions
⦁ Coaching Institutes
⦁ Online Coaching Portals
⦁ Research-based institutions
⦁ Colleges and Universities

Where to find a Professor Job in India?

For those who desire to start their teaching career as professors, there are plenty of good job opportunities. The number of colleges, universities, and professional colleges will grow in the future years, increasing the demand for qualified teachers. A lecturer can advance to become a reader, assistant professor, professor, or associate professor, or department head. The University Grants Commission publishes guidelines that are followed by all Indian universities and institutions (UGC).

Any job hunter who is willing to find a job as a professor can check job opportunities in the following sectors of India:

⦁ Government colleges
⦁ Aided and Non-aided Private colleges
⦁ Universities
⦁ Research Institutes

FAQs on How to Become a Professor in India

1. How to become a Lecturer after 12th?

After completing your 12th grade, you must complete your undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in your chosen subject and clear the UGC NET exam.

2. What is the salary of a university professor in India?

A university professor’s salary ranges from INR 3,00,000 to 4,00,000.

3. Is a Ph.D. required to be a professor in India?

Yes, according to the new UGC policy, a Ph.D. will be required for direct recruitment to the position of assistant professor.

4. How to become a professor in government colleges in India?

In order to become a professor in government colleges of India, aspirants will have to appear in competitive exams such as CSIR NET, SLET, GATE, NET exams.

5. How to become a professor in the UK from India?

In order to become a professor in the UK from India, you will have to earn a Ph.D. degree in the UK.

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