Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhiaan on Thursday announced a ₹5,000 increase in the monthly salary of guest lecturers working in government colleges across the state. The revised pay will come into effect from March 1.
Stating that guest lecturers are appointed periodically to ensure uninterrupted academic activity, the minister noted that their honorarium had remained unchanged since 2016. “The salary was increased from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 in 2022, then to ₹25,000 in 2024, and will now be raised to ₹30,000,” he said.
With the latest revision, guest lecturers in government arts and science colleges and temporary assistant professors in engineering colleges will receive ₹30,000 per month. Temporary lecturers in polytechnic colleges will see their pay rise from ₹20,000 to ₹25,000 per month.
The minister said the decision would impose an additional annual financial burden of ₹53 crore on the state exchequer. A total of 9,646 teachers are expected to benefit from the hike. Of these, 8,741 are guest lecturers in arts and science colleges, 319 are temporary assistant professors in engineering colleges, and 586 are temporary lecturers in polytechnic institutions.
Highlighting recent developments in the higher education sector, Chezhiaan said 38 new government arts and science colleges were established between 2021 and 2026, creating opportunities for an additional 18,760 students. He also pointed out that more than 250 new courses have been introduced during this period.
Addressing faculty shortages, the minister said that with assistant professor posts lying vacant since 2015, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government initiated the recruitment process for 4,000 candidates. Despite delays due to court cases, he added, the Teachers Recruitment Board has conducted preliminary examinations for the recruitment of 2,708 assistant professors in arts and science colleges.