Karnataka government directs retention of guest lecturers for ongoing semester, ETEducation

The Karnataka government has directed that guest lecturers who served last year will continue until the ongoing 2025–26 semester concludes. The decision, taken by the Higher Education Department based on the Advocate General’s legal opinion, provides temporary relief in the recruitment dispute that had delayed appointments.

Despite two months of classes already being underway in government degree colleges, students had been deprived of lectures due to the impasse.

The government clarified that current guest lecturers will remain in charge until the end of the semester, after which posts may be filled from among applicants meeting UGC norms. The dispute arose after over 49,000 applications were received for approximately 10,000 posts, with nearly 29,000 applicants lacking the minimum eligibility.

Court challenges and protests by student bodies such as the ABVP and AIDSO had intensified pressure on the government, with demonstrations even staged outside the Higher Education Minister’s residence.