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How to Become a Professor in India

Knowledge does not exist without a teacher. Students can't excel in their life in the absence of a good teacher, and the success of any college or institution depends on the quality of education. But what is the road to becoming a professor or lecturer? Sheer hard work and sacrifice is needed to begin teaching at colleges—which is indeed a booming career path.

4 Steps to Becoming a College Professor

To become a college professor, you should follow the steps below:

• Step 1: You should opt for a stream of your choice (science, commerce or arts) in Class 12th
• Step 2: After completing Class 12th, you should opt for the bachelor degree. It is important that you clear graduation with good percentages
• Step 3: You should apply for the postgraduate program and score at least 55%, since it is the minimum eligibility to appear for the NET (National Eligibility Test)-the qualifying examination for teaching in a college
• Step 4: Either you can sit for the NET exam or can apply for doing research work in your university. M.Phil & PhD degrees are required for doing teaching in a college. A candidate who possess doctoral degree gets an edge over other applicants.

For recruitment as professors in universities or institutions, it is mandatory to clear NET (National Eligibility Test) /SET (State Eligibility Test) examination. Usually, NET is conducted by the UGC (University Grants Commission) twice in a year- June & December every year. Those candidates who have successfully cleared NET are eligible to apply for the lecturer posts in all Indian universities/Institutes/colleges, but the SET qualified candidates will be eligible for appointment of the lecturer post only in universities/colleges, belonging to the state from where they have cleared the SET exam.

Duties of a professor-

1 Preparing syllabus for classes

2 Preparing examinations

3 Calculating grades

4 Meeting students outside the class for help

5 Integrating new learning into current classes

6 Advising students regarding course selection

7 Supervising the research work of graduate students

8 Reading, making suggestions and evaluating thesis proposals of graduate students

9 Participating in Ph.D comprehensive examinations

10 Participating in various departmental faculty meetings

Skills required for professor jobs-

Some of the top institutions in India paying highest salary to assistant professor or lecturer are-

• IITs
• AIIMS
• IIMs
• BITs

Salary & perks

On an average, an assistant professor can earn anywhere between Rs 16000-40,000/month in India; while a professor can fetch an amount between Rs 38000-68,000/month.

Apart from that, a college professor gets paid summer, winter and autumn holidays. Even some colleges offer accommodation to their teaching staff within the campus also. Some of the other perks include-conveyance and medical facilities.

Salary range of assistant professors in different education sectors in India-

Where can you find professor jobs?

There is no dearth of good job opportunities for those who want to kick-start their career in teaching field as professors. In the coming years, a number of colleges, universities, professional colleges, etc., is going to rise. This will help in increasing the demand of qualified teaching staff. A lecturer can serve as a reader, assistant professor, professor or associate professor and can eventually become the department head. All the universities and colleges in India follow the guidelines detailed by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It is the only statutory body in India that looks after the maintenance and standards of institutions in higher education. Before you apply for any job with a college, it is crucial to check the list of reputed institutions which are issued by UGC every year. It will help you to start your career in the right direction.

You can find both assistant professor and professor jobs in any of the following fields-

• Government Colleges

• Private both aided and non-aided colleges
• Universities

• Research Institutes

  If we closely look at below table then we will find that there is a great demand of professors in IITs, where there is a severe faculty crunch. Apart from offering a handsome salary packages, teaching at IIT is highly prestigious.
  

  
  

Cities producing highest number of abundant assistant professor/lecturer jobs in India

Career progression

As per the UGC (University Grants Commission) rules and regulations, an assistant professor/ lecturer, holding a PhD degree, will be promoted to the Associate Professor post after the completion of 12 years of service. Similarly, those candidates which are working with an M. Phil degree or a postgraduate degree in a professional course will be then moved to the Associate Professor post after the completion of 13 years of service.

Other work areas for a professor

There is a misconception that anybody can teach, which is not at all correct. Impeccable knowledge of the subject matter, clarity of thought, zeal, articulation ability and passion are some of the attributes that a teacher should possess. If you have a deep passion towards teaching, then it is the right career choice for you.

There is always an air of hesitation in taking up teaching as a career choice mainly because of the package. Thanks to the pay commission, professors usually get salaries that are pretty high as compared to the industrial standards. The hierarchy in this field can be like that- Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Professor/Reader.

Teaching is a continuous learning process and it can take you to a completely different academic level, if you have patience, ability and passion to keep your ears and eyes open all the time. When you get a good college teaching experience, many other options are opened, and some of them are detailed below-

1= Consultancy

Many academic institutes have established their tie-ups with different industries and research organizations through Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) which helps in augmenting faculty research, consultancy and technology exchange programs. You need to have a good experience because then only you will be considered eligible to take up this leap. If a faculty member has decided to do consultancy then he should-

• Adhere to regulations and rules of institutes and make sure that the work does not disturb your normal teaching.
• Pick those subjects in which you have expertise and interest.
• Create a guideline for pricing (e.g. travel time, teaching, initial meetings) but make sure you are flexible enough.

By taking up a consultancy job, you not only get monetary benefits apart from your salary, but your dream of doing something like your industry counterpart is also accomplished. Many reputed colleges like IITs and private colleges have entered into tie-ups with industries. Nowadays, the consultancy has become the independent profession. Some of the areas where consultancy opportunities exist are-
• Technology
• Finance
• HR/Career/Recruitment
• Construction

2= Training sessions & seminars

This is a field where it is not necessary that the audience should be college students. Typically, training sessions are held for corporate. You can become a certified trainer and take it up as your career choice. Corporate trainers teach such topics, which people usually don't study in their formal education, like business writing etiquette, communication skills, presentation skills, public speaking and various other technical skills. There are academic bodies like ISTD (Indian Society of Training & Development) and XLRI (Jamshedpur) which are offering these types of certifications.

Before you jump into this profession, it is crucial to ensure that you have-

• Lots of creativity which you may need to make conversation interesting
• Mature thought process
• Spontaneity to combat with any tough problem

Either you can associate with an institute or can also work as a freelancer. Below are some of the main areas where trainers are required-

• Technology related training
• On the job training (OJT)
• Behavioral training
• Human resources training

3= Research activities

Research in India is a limited field, but still lot of efforts are put by government bodies to encourage youth to take it up as a career choice. Different funding agencies like AICTE, DAE, TIFR, UGC, etc., in India are also encouraging the young generation to come forward.

Various faculty research programs are conducted by the universities to bolster more & more faculty members to take up research activities. It is mainly done at those colleges which aim towards upgrading and rejuvenating their faculty resources. If a new faculty member has decided to take up research activities, then he should be ready for the following points-
• You should be able to work in a team
• Always ready to think beyond the track
• Able to work for longer hours
• Should be interested to go for higher studies

There are many benefits of taking up research activities. Besides job satisfaction & security, you get research grants apart from your basic salary. IBM has signed a research tie-up with IIT Guwahati.

Some of the areas where you can do research work are-

• Medicine, Engineering,Computer science etc.
• Finance, Management, Accounting etc.
• Classic and ancient history, Music, Performing arts etc.

As a professor, you get an edge over others and therefore, it is also feasible to start your own coaching classes. This profession has a great future and it is recession proof also. Nowadays, coaching for engineering entrance examinations has become a rage. Coaching classes charge around Rs 3000-5000/subject and each batch has nearly 75-90 students.

Either you can become a full-time teacher or can impart education as a visiting teacher. The salary could vary anywhere between Rs 30,000- 1 lakh/month. Thanks to the advent of technology, online tutoring is enjoying a great prominence these days. You can teach students, sitting in any part of the world, through Skype. Also, you can create different educational videos and sell them over the internet. It is a win-win situation for both students and teachers. This field is highly lucrative because you get the chance to earn in international currency.

The job of a college teacher not only covers teaching graduate and post graduate students, but it is also deeply involved in research activities. At this point of time, the relationship of a student-teacher is that of a guide and mentor, and therefore, as a professor, he plays an imperative role.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Comments

Hemanta Ramchiary on May 30, 2019:

Sir,could I become a lecturer/ professor after completing my Msc. In geography (general) in cotton University?

Shrishti on May 21, 2019:

This can really help me

kunal on May 12, 2019:

this can reaily help me

Simran Rawat on January 29, 2019:

Its really useful thank u so much

Dia on January 22, 2019:

Is it possible to become professor without M.ed in Kerala?

M.Saikia on January 20, 2019:

Is the percentage in Master's degree important for applying a professor's job?

Ravani Suru on December 02, 2018:

This is Amazing Career Line, but How to became India's successful Professor . which is Best Field line in commerce who became proffecer.which is best university for studying Proffecer line in India and Gujarat .

Bharath on December 01, 2018:

Its a nice post to read however i personally feel that the teachers are being paid way too low in an engineering colleges here in Bengaluru. I am working as an assistant professor in one the reputed college and still the pay is incredibly low. The fresh M.Tech grad can get as low as Rs.16,000 to Rs.21,000/- per month in Bengaluru. Right now i have 4 years of experience and getting Rs.29,000/- per month even though i have good academic track record, many publications in hand and very good results (96%) and feedback (98%) from the students. Its the irony of the India that everyone respects the teacher but nobody wants to fight for their salaries. I get a chance to speak to lot of faculties whenever i go to other colleges as external examiner or to some conferences, during a chat, everybody used to say that they regret for choosing this field. We are always motivated for teaching but the way the college management treat us is surely no one could ever imagine. My sincere advise never choose this field if you really want to make some money.

PS: The things that you had put up here constitutes for premier institutes such as IIT's, NIT's, or Universities which are just 10% of the Indian Education systems. Rest 90% are these private colleges and salaries are way too low for any such teacher in the private colleges.

Kanika on November 12, 2018:

I have a great interest in teaching and I want to teach bio as a subject. I was in 9th class and I want to. Become as a professor In bio

Kanika on November 12, 2018:

The competition in this field is very high

davinder kaur on November 01, 2018:

hi sir.

it is very useful information.

Amit Bhatia on September 06, 2018:

Dear Sir,

I am an Insurance professional aged 41 years, looking for a career change. I completed B.Com in 1997 and did my Masters of Financial Admin. (M.F.A) in 1999, (both in First Class) from DAVV Indore University as a regular student.

I have done Fellowship in Insurance (F.I.I.I) from Insurance Institute of India in 2016 and also Diploma in Health Insurance in 2017.

Apart from this i have Certifications in Insurance and Mutual Funds and i am a Certfied Investment Advisor from NISM (SEBI).

I have a flair for teaching insurance particularly. But neither Finance nor Insurance is listed as a subject in the list of NET Exam.

Please suggest whether i can choose Management as a subject in NET Exam ?

Also guide how to prepare for the new pattern of NET Exam scheduled in Dec 2018 ?

Thanks.

divya Sivakumar on July 30, 2018:

i complete my Master's degree through course.shall i write the NET/SET exam?

Dharmendra madhesiya on June 30, 2018:

My question is that lecturer and proffessor is same thing

or not. And in 12th there is option to take science or commerce or arts of our choice

Sagar Sonker on June 14, 2018:

Dear Sir,

I have done B-tech(Biotech) in 2016 and then M.Sc. Now i wanna choose a career of teaching because i have been teaching in an inter college since 2017 and tutions for 6 years. I dont have Bed, what should i do to teach in private inter colleges with out Bed. due to financial problem i cant do bed, plz suggest me the right way.

Thanks and regards,

Er. Sagar

Rishabh jha on June 08, 2018:

My class 12 th score is really low will it become a hurdle in my journey to become professor

Amrutha on June 06, 2018:

Hi.. Can a science graduate with masters in commerce apply for assistant proffesor in commerce stream

Trayambak on June 01, 2018:

hi..

currently I cleared the 12th exam in arts stream and waiting for my result..

I want to become professor ...plz guide me which subject is best for this profession so I can choose that language in UG course. ( I would like to do in English language...is it good or not)...

Shabnam on May 08, 2018:

I'm doing bms n i just give me 6th test now my interest is chang I want to become a professor what step should I follow n what the possible whay for me to become a professor plz guide me

Rizwana on April 11, 2018:

I am studying fyba and I want to become a lecturer for maths(science stream) in degree college .what are the steps for it plz let me know?

S bakan on April 09, 2018:

Thanks mam

Riya on April 08, 2018:

is it necessary to opt only for science, commerce or arts in 12th.

Ganesh on March 29, 2018:

I am completed degree. I am interested in teaching(maths) 12th standard students. then what I will do? For next step.

Kumar on March 23, 2018:

Hi Mam, really very informative and appreciable note. I woukd like to know few things like-

1. Can someone be a permanant Assistant Professor immediate after cracking the NET and what should be the best score to acheive?

2. Can someone appear NET for two subjects at a time?

Because as per my knowledge and inquery I found that initially they have to work on Contract basis for a period of 1 to 2 years and they will be paid stipend for that.

3. Is it necessary for Phd candidates to appear for NET to beacome an Assistant Professor?

Could you kindly help me out to find the answers for above questions? I will be really thankful to you.

ananya on March 18, 2018:

thanks a lot for providing all information

Vaishnavi on February 14, 2018:

Thanks for the information.. it's really helpful.

But there is a question... How much score in 12th class we have to fetch??

Like I am an average student but I have a deep passion for teaching.

I'll be waiting for the reply.

Thank you again !!

Dhananjay Singh on February 09, 2018:

I have a question plz help.

Say if i qualified NET/ JRF and did my phd.

Can i become professor directly after that or will i become assistant professor first and after 12 years i will become professor.

Harshit on February 06, 2018:

Does 10th and 12 grades matters in this career.

I've 53% in 10th, 54% in 12th, 59.76% in college graduation and 68% in Masters. I've always involved in other activities due to which scores are way low.

I've deep interest in teaching and want to pursue my career in teaching. Should I apply for NET and begin my career as an assistant professor. Or will my scores hurt my chances of selection and create any further problems.

Niranjan on January 06, 2018:

Very nice.

poovarasan on December 10, 2017:

teachers are second parents

Md Samim Akhtar (from Panditpur,lalgola,msd) on November 28, 2017:

Thanks Reena mam for sharing this very needful and important information to be an aiming professor. My concept about to be an professor have more cleared by this information ....,..,.....

So much thank you Reena ji.

Lavanya on November 22, 2017:

Thanks a lot mam..understood everything deeply..tnx

Parashuram on October 19, 2017:

Thanks for giving this information

Rupesh Kumar on October 12, 2017:

It is great growing tips.

Mithu Roy on August 09, 2017:

Thank you mam for sharing this useful information. It is really helpful for those who seeking a career in education.

Mayank Agrawal on June 13, 2017:

This information is so helpful for me thank you so much

Nagma Shaikh on June 08, 2017:

one can pursue m'ed degree after mcom..what if one didnot achive the required minimum creteria of 55%

shivshankar on May 28, 2017:

I am graduated in BA Programme from

Delhi University in 2011 and now I have enroll for MA in Economics from IGNOU .

I would like to Know that After completion of my MA , Would I be able to take NET Exam and I would be eligible for Assistant Professor after Passing that , if not Kindly suggest me How I c an be Assistant Professor.

RanjeetKumar on May 25, 2017:

Very Good and Thanks a lot for guiding us to become a professor

Param Jethava on April 17, 2017:

I have completed 10 std and i want to become a professor so can anyone just give me advise that which is better science, commerce or any other thing which help me in future...

Bharat on February 05, 2017:

Hi,

I am a graduate in Mechanical engineering in 2006.

Since then I am working in R&D department in a reputed private organization which manufactures the mining products. Now I have around 9 years of experience in manufacturing & Designing. I have software related experience also. I am doing MBA/Production & Operations management course through distance.

I conduct some training programs in the company to teach my colleagues about the new technologies.

But my dream is to teach students in engineering colleges or polytechnic colleges as a professor.

Is it really possible to get professor job in Government/private sector?

do we have job security?

Do we get salary as expected?

I would like to do Ph.D also at side.

I would like to request suggestions from any one of you which can help me to make my dream possible.

aashi singh on January 06, 2017:

good article for me and very help ful

Asha on November 30, 2016:

Very clear and important information. Thanks for sharing

shweta mankar on November 21, 2016:

Reena thank you very much to provide this important articles. i am so happy for read this article bcoz i was found this information very long time on internet.but finally get it.. this info is very useful in my future life......so so thank you reena once again.

sanjeev on October 20, 2016:

Thanks reema .. very informative

Amit Singh on October 19, 2016:

Hello sir

My Graduation is going on of commerce field and my future plaining is become a teacher of Accouting field I have lot of Ideas of teaching field every time I gonna New Ideas for Changing Teaching system that Dream how to give interesting of my Teaching? Firstly I want to information of become a Teacher Step by step any body pls give me your support to become a teacher

Thank You

Anupam Ghosh on September 16, 2016:

hello.. i have completed my masters' in economics and now want to make a career in academics. but my undergrad marks is below 50% although i fared fairly in my masters'. how does that affect my chances?

joys on August 16, 2016:

very informative and well organised ...thank you for sharing.

zareen on August 05, 2016:

Thankyou soo much Reena for sharing this information your information is quite clear and well.thanks for sharing how to go through the steps of becoming an instructor. Thankyou.

Deepika on July 20, 2016:

I have earned a bachelor degree and I am studying master degree, should the B:ed degree is needed or he bachelor degree is enough

riya on June 26, 2016:

Thank you for sharing so much information

Michael on March 15, 2016:

Are there opportunities for a person who does a phd in Internationl Relations/ International Studies to be a professor in a college? Are there many colleges in India offering Internationl Relations/ International Studies ? In the long run, do you feel its better to do a phd in Internationl Relations/ International Studies or in History assuming the passion is the same for both fields. Will apreciate your help in this area of thought. Thank you.

Nitesh Kanwar on February 08, 2016:

Quite informative....thanks for sharing.

nitha on February 06, 2016:

good article

Reena Dhiman (author) on October 19, 2014:

@teaches12345 yes In India, it is considered both a noble and lucrative profession. In fact, I personally believe that a a right professor can lay down the foundation of our future. I appreciate your efforts in reading my hub and sharing your views.

Dianna Mendez on October 19, 2014:

As a teacher I can appreciate the work that goes into becoming a professor. Looks like it is a very rewarding profession in India. Thanks for sharing how to go through the steps of becoming an instructor.

Reena Dhiman (author) on October 15, 2014:

@yasirchohan thanks for spending your time on my hub. You are right that our countries are different but I am sure you will definitely find some vital things about teaching profession which would be useful to you.

Reena Dhiman (author) on October 15, 2014:

@m abdullah javed thanks a ton for appreciating my hub. I am happy that you like my article and hope that you will use this information in your future assignments.

Yasir chohan from Reisterstown on October 15, 2014:

your information is quite clear and well represented. While our countries are different, I still think I can find practical use for a lot of information mentioned in your article!

muhammad abdullah javed on October 14, 2014:

Hi Reena. Thanks for sharing a very informative hub. You have applied yourself to make it worth. Hope it may serve as a ready reference for the aspirants.