Within the context of 45 central universities, a noteworthy observation has come to light regarding the vacancies in teaching positions allocated for individuals belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST) categories. On Wednesday, as disclosed during a session in the Rajya Sabha, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan conveyed that more than 42 percent of these reserved positions remain unoccupied.

Across these universities, around 7,033 teaching positions are designated for OBC, SC, and ST candidates. However, the current situation paints a concerning picture with 3,007 vacant posts. Delving into the specifics, it becomes evident that vacancies for OBC posts make up a substantial 46 percent of the sanctioned positions (equivalent to 1665 positions). On the other hand, the vacant positions for SC and ST categories are reported at 37 and 44 percent respectively.

In the ongoing year of 2023, there have been strides made to address this issue, resulting in a cumulative total of 517 positions being filled across the three aforementioned categories. Minister Pradhan further provided insights into the distribution of these appointments, revealing that the maximum appointments have been made in the OBC category, which accounts for 285 positions. Following this, the SC category stands at 150 appointments, while the ST category boasts 82 new appointments, thus illustrating a progressive effort to balance these teaching roles.

This situation highlights the ongoing need to enhance representation and diversity within the teaching workforce of these central universities, urging further initiatives to bridge these gaps and ensure equal opportunities for candidates across various backgrounds.