Maharashtra to Recruit 5,500 Assistant Professors by March 2026: A Major Push to Strengthen Higher Education

In a major development aimed at revitalising Maharashtra’s higher education system, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil announced that the state government will recruit 5,500 assistant professors in senior colleges by March 2026. This long-awaited move is expected to significantly ease the faculty shortage across government and government-aided institutions.

The announcement was made during the 28th convocation ceremony of Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, held in Nanded. Minister Patil confirmed that the Finance and Planning departments have both cleared the recruitment proposal and that a Government Resolution (GR) will be issued shortly to formally initiate the process.

“The vacancies of 5,500 assistant professors will be filled before March next year,” said Patil.

2,900 Non-Teaching Posts Also Approved

In addition to academic roles, the government has approved 2,900 non-teaching posts to improve the administrative and operational infrastructure of colleges and universities across Maharashtra. These recruitments will ensure that higher education institutions have both the human resources and administrative support needed to function efficiently.

This is seen as a comprehensive effort to boost quality across the education system, not just by increasing teaching strength but also by improving back-end support.

Past Setbacks and the Road Ahead

Patil addressed a previously stalled recruitment drive involving 700 assistant professor posts in state universities. He revealed that the process was delayed due to suggestions from the then Governor, C P Radhakrishnan, who recommended a different approach.

Now that Radhakrishnan has assumed charge as Vice President of India, the matter will be re-evaluated with the new Governor, Acharya Devvrat.

This fresh dialogue is expected to clear procedural hurdles and streamline the approval process, allowing the stalled recruitments to proceed alongside the new batch of 5,500 faculty appointments.

Enhancing Global Appeal of Maharashtra’s Universities

During his convocation address, Minister Patil also emphasized the need to make Maharashtra’s universities more appealing to international students. He noted that this year, 4,000 students from 65 countries have enrolled in Maharashtra, primarily through educational promotion agencies.

However, a large majority of these students opted for institutions in Pune and Mumbai, suggesting a need to raise the profile of universities in other regions.

This push for global visibility aligns with broader national policies such as Internationalisation of Higher Education, a core goal under India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Message to Graduates: Innovate with Responsibility

Addressing the graduating students, Patil delivered a motivational message about the power of youth in shaping the country’s future. He urged young professionals to actively engage with flagship government programmes such as:

• Startup India
• Make in India
• Digital India

“You have the power to experiment, innovate, and carve new paths,” Patil said. “But remember, entrepreneurship and careers must be rooted in values and social responsibility.”

His remarks highlighted a vision for value-driven innovation, where success is measured not just by financial gain but also by positive societal impact.

A Step Towards Academic Stability and Quality

The government’s commitment to filling thousands of teaching and non-teaching posts is being seen as a long-overdue corrective measure to chronic understaffing in Maharashtra’s higher education system. For years, colleges across the state have operated with vacant teaching positions, affecting both academic quality and student-teacher engagement.

With this recruitment plan in motion, institutions can expect:

• Improved faculty-student ratios
• Better academic support
• Enhanced research output
• More consistent academic schedules and evaluations

This will also align with the NEP 2020’s goal of improving faculty quality and availability as a cornerstone for achieving excellence in higher education.

What Comes Next?

• The Government Resolution (GR) for the recruitment process is expected to be issued soon.
• The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) or other authorised bodies will likely conduct the selection and interview process.
• Interested candidates should keep a close watch on official state education portals and public service commission announcements.

Final Word

Maharashtra’s decision to recruit 5,500 assistant professors and 2,900 non-teaching staff marks a major push toward strengthening its higher education ecosystem. With long-standing vacancies finally being addressed and a renewed focus on global competitiveness, the state is aiming to not only enhance academic quality but also position itself as a preferred education hub—both nationally and internationally.