Government Appoints Over 1,840 Professors of Practice in Higher Education

In a significant move to enhance higher education, the Ministry of Education has announced the appointment of over 1,840 industry experts as Professors of Practice (PoP) across 349 institutions.

This information was disclosed by Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, in response to a written query in the Rajya Sabha.

The initiative is part of the reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes skill-based learning and promotes stronger collaborations between academia and industry.

As of January 5, 2026, a total of 1,841 PoP have been engaged, with private universities leading the way by hiring 715 Professors, followed by deemed universities (699), state universities (212), and central universities (15). Additionally, colleges have made 200 such appointments.

On a state-by-state basis, Tamil Nadu tops the list with 395 PoP, followed by Maharashtra (193), Gujarat (179), Karnataka (170), and Uttar Pradesh (157). Smaller states and Union Territories are also adopting this model, albeit in smaller numbers.

It's important to note that the position of Professor of Practice is temporary and not part of the sanctioned posts. The maximum duration for such appointments is three years, with a possible extension of one additional year under exceptional circumstances.