Patna: A two-hour meeting between governor Syed Ata Hasnain and a six-member delegation of students and researchers protesting at Gardanibagh for 21 days ended with an agreement with fasting protesters agreeing to withdraw their agitation.The delegation, representing the All PhD Holders and Research Association, discussed demands concerning the Assistant Professor Recruitment Regulations, 2026. It was agreed the 2026 regulations would remain suspended and no regular or contractual assistant professor recruitment would be undertaken under them until amendments were made after considering the association’s demands.The governor will consult CM Samrat Choudhary and constitute a committee of eminent academics and experienced administrators within 15 days to examine the demands.These include raising the maximum age for assistant professor recruitment to 55 years, introducing an objective written examination and preparing a combined merit list based on written-test marks and API scores. Teaching demonstrations would also be included in interviews.The committee will examine changes in API calculations, including excluding Class X and XII marks, giving greater weightage to PhD qualifications, and including research publications and experience under clearly defined criteria.Demands concerning guest assistant professors, including minimum pay with dearness allowance, uniform renewal rules and verification of academic and research credentials, will also be considered.
