India, July 7 -- In a long-awaited move, the University Grants Commission (UGC) on July 3 granted exemption from NET and/or SET eligibility to as many as 1,421 professors in Maharashtra who hold a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) postgraduate degree. These professors have been waiting for over 25 years for recognition of their academic credentials. The decision also clears the decks for promotion of these professors to senior and selection grades.

According to state higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil, the matter has been pending for long now. Before 1993 and even between June 14, 2006 and July 11, 2009, an M.Phil. degree was considered a valid qualification for appointment to teaching posts. However, professors who a...