Prof R.K. Uppal
n India, earning a PhD, qualifying the UGC-NET examination, and securing a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) represent some of the highest academic accomplishments. These achievements require years of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice. Students spend countless hours studying, conducting research, publishing papers, and contributing to knowledge with the hope of building meaningful careers in higher education and research. Yet, for thousands of scholars across the country, these prestigious qualifications have become symbols not of security but of uncertainty. The reality is painful: despite holding advanced degrees and national-level qualifications, many are still fighting for survival.
The journey to becoming a PhD scholar or JRF awardees is neither easy nor short. A student typically completes undergraduate and postgraduate studies before preparing for highly competitive examinations like the UGC-NET. Those who qualify for JRF enter doctoral research, often dedicating four to six additional years to intensive academic work. They conduct original research, publish in journals, attend conferences, and contribute to their respective fields. By the time they complete their PhD, they have invested nearly a decade or more in higher education.
However, the reward for this investment is increasingly uncertain. Permanent academic jobs in universities and colleges are limited, and recruitment processes are often delayed for years. Advertisements for faculty positions are infrequent, and vacancies remain unfilled despite a growing demand for quality education. Consequently, thousands of highly qualified scholars compete for a handful of positions.
Junior Research Fellows face another set of challenges. Although fellowships provide financial assistance during doctoral studies, delays in payment are not uncommon. Months of waiting for fellowship disbursement can create severe financial stress. Research scholars often struggle to pay rent, manage household expenses, purchase research materials, and support their families. Such delays affect not only their personal lives but also the quality and continuity of their research.
The growth of private universities has created additional employment opportunities, but not always under favorable conditions. In many institutions, faculty members are hired on short-term contracts with heavy teaching loads and multiple administrative responsibilities. Expectations often extend beyond teaching and research to student admissions, marketing activities, and institutional branding. Academic excellence sometimes takes a back seat to commercial priorities. The mismatch between the number of PhD graduates and available employment opportunities is another major concern. India has significantly increased doctoral enrolment over the past two decades to promote research and innovation. However, job creation in academia and research institutions has not kept pace with this growth. As a result, the country is producing a large pool of highly qualified scholars without creating sufficient avenues for their productive employment.
This situation has profound social consequences. Families invest substantial financial and emotional resources in supporting students through years of higher education. Parents often believe that advanced qualifications guarantee respectable careers and social mobility. When scholars remain unemployed or underemployed despite their credentials, disappointment extends beyond individuals to entire families.
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“Many NET and PhD holders are forced to accept temporary, contractual, or guest faculty appointments. These jobs offer little security, limited benefits, and salaries that are often inadequate to support a family. Some scholars work for monthly wages that are significantly lower than what professionals in other sectors earn with much lower educational qualifications. The irony is difficult to ignore: individuals who have dedicated their lives to education and research often struggle to achieve financial stability.”
The psychological impact of prolonged uncertainty cannot be overlooked. Repeated job applications, unsuccessful interviews, temporary appointments, and financial insecurity contribute to stress and anxiety. Many scholars begin to question their career choices and the value of their qualifications. Some leave academia altogether and seek employment in unrelated sectors simply to secure a stable income.
The issue is particularly significant because India aspires to become a global knowledge economy. National policies emphasize innovation, research, and the development of world-class universities. Government initiatives encourage scientific discovery and technological advancement. Yet these ambitions cannot be achieved without adequately supporting the researchers and educators who form the backbone of the knowledge ecosystem.
Another challenge lies in the structure of doctoral education itself. PhD programmes in India have traditionally been designed with academia as the primary career destination. However, the modern economy offers opportunities in industry, public policy, data analytics, consulting, research organizations, and technology sectors. Universities need to equip scholars with transferable skills that broaden their employment prospects beyond teaching positions.
Research funding and infrastructure also require significant improvement. Many scholars work with limited laboratory facilities, inadequate library resources, and insufficient financial support for conferences and fieldwork. Strengthening research ecosystems would not only improve the quality of academic output but also create additional opportunities for researchers.
Addressing the challenges faced by PhD, NET, and JRF scholars requires comprehensive policy reforms. First, recruitment processes in public universities and colleges should be regular, transparent, and timely. Long delays in filling vacant positions should be avoided. Second, fellowship payments must be released promptly to ensure financial stability for research scholars. Third, contractual faculty should receive fair wages and reasonable job security.
Private universities also have an important role to play. Institutions should prioritize academic quality and faculty welfare alongside financial sustainability. Competitive salaries, opportunities for research, and professional development programmes can help create a healthier academic environment. Industry-academia collaboration should be strengthened to expand career opportunities for doctoral graduates. Research partnerships, internships, innovation centers, and entrepreneurship programmes can enable scholars to apply their expertise in diverse sectors. Such collaborations would benefit both the economy and the higher education system.
Society, too, must rethink its perception of academic careers. Research and teaching are essential for national progress. Scientists, economists, historians, engineers, and social scientists contribute to solving complex societal challenges. Supporting scholars is not merely an investment in individuals; it is an investment in the country’s intellectual and economic future.
The story of India’s PhD, NET, and JRF scholars is not simply one of personal struggle. It reflects broader challenges within the higher education and research ecosystem. A nation that values knowledge must also value those who create and disseminate it. Degrees and qualifications should open doors to opportunity, not lead to years of uncertainty and hardship. A PhD, a NET qualification, and a JRF fellowship should represent achievement and hope—not a lifetime battle for survival. If India truly aims to become a global leader in education and innovation, it must ensure that its brightest minds are empowered to build the future rather than struggle merely to secure their own.
(The author is Principal, Guru Gobind Singh College of Management and Technology, Gidderbaha, Punjab. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
