In numbers: Shortage of faculty across IITs in India is at an all-time high

Over the past few years, the number of Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) has ballooned, but there is a massive shortage of faculty at these premier institutions. To address the shortage, a recent Cabinet note proposed that the income criteria for issuing work visas for foreign faculty members be relaxed.

To understand why this a step in the right direction, here are a few numbers for you to digest:

• The vacancy rate in IIT Jodhpur and IIT Banaras Hindu University (BHU), according to an RTI filed by The Indian Express.
• This vacancy is from 2014-15.
• The lowest vacancy - 10%, is reported by IIT Mandi, while the highest vacancy is at IIT BHU (53%).

• Vacancy at IIT Kharagpur, the oldest IIT.
• IITs Bombay has a vacancy of 38.6%, Delhi has 33.1% and Roorkie has 41.8%.

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• Answers given by the government to a question of faculty shortage, according to a reply in the Lok Sabha.
• Teaching positions compensated by research scholars, contractual, adjunct and visiting faculty.
• Year round open advertisements in selected international journals.
• Appointments of Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin with similar terms as regular faculty.

• Number of international faculty members in IIT Delhi, according to a report in Mint. Government has also launched Global Initiative for Academic Networks which authorises foreign faculty to teach certain courses.
• In total, IIT Delhi has 466 teaching staff.
• In contrast, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US has 1,679 international teachers out of a total of 2,982 faculties.

• The yearly salary ceiling for foreign faculties to get a work visa and get hired in IITs, according to the latest Cabinet note.
• Earlier, the amount was $25,000 a year or more. This was allegedly certified to protect jobs for Indians.
• In 2007, IITs were allowed to hire international faculty on a five year contract but many IITs could not afford to hire by paying Rs 1 lac a month for mid level faculty.
• According to reports, 10 foreign teachers have been recruited by the IITs who have not received their work permit for over six months.
• With the current state of faculty shortage, it is expected that this move of lowering the amount for work visa would help the ailing IITs.

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