The Tamil Nadu Government has announced a recruitment drive for temporary Guest Lecturers in its Arts, Science, and Education Colleges for the academic year 2025-2026. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted quality education for students while addressing the shortage of permanent faculty across colleges. The recruitment is purely temporary, for a fixed period of 11 months, and offers an opportunity for qualified individuals with postgraduate or higher qualifications to contribute to higher education in Tamil Nadu. Applications are invited online, and candidates will be selected based on academic performance, NET/SLET/SET qualifications, and performance in the interview.
Important Date
- Notification Release Date: 21st July 2025
- Start Date for Online Applications: 24th September 2025
- Last Date to Apply Online: 8th October 2025
- Application Mode: Online only
- Website Activation Duration: 15 days
Candidates are allowed to apply for one region only, but within that region, they may select up to three districts in order of preference. Multiple applications for the same region by the same candidate will not be accepted; only the first submitted application will be considered.
Vacancy Details
A total of 881 temporary Guest Lecturer positions will be filled across 38 departments in Arts, Science, and Education Colleges throughout Tamil Nadu. These positions have been created to ensure that student learning is not disrupted while permanent faculty posts remain vacant. Temporary Guest Lecturers will be employed for 11 months only during the current academic year and cannot claim permanent employment.
Application Fee
- Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST): ₹100
- Other Categories: ₹200
- Payment Mode: Online payment
Candidates who applied previously and paid the application fee may be exempt from paying again.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit:
- Maximum age: 57 years as on 1st July 2025
Educational Qualifications:
- Candidates must hold at least a Master’s degree (Postgraduate) with a minimum of 55% marks.
- For SC/ST, Backward Class (BC), Most Backward Class (MBC), and Differently Abled candidates, a minimum of 50% marks is acceptable.
- Additionally, candidates must have qualified in NET/SLET/SET or possess a Ph.D. degree.
Documents Required:
Candidates must upload scanned copies of the following documents:
- Passport-sized photograph
- Postgraduate degree / Ph.D. certificate
- NET/SLET/SET certificates (as applicable)
- Mark sheets for all qualifying examinations
- Caste/Community certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
Selection Process
The selection of Guest Lecturers will be based on a weighted scoring system combining academic qualifications and interview performance:
1. Academic Qualification Marks (Maximum 85 points)
- Ph.D. with NET & JRF: 85 points
- Ph.D. with NET: 83 points
- Ph.D. with SET/SLET: 81 points
- Ph.D. only: 79 points
- Master’s degree with NET & JRF: 77 points
- Master’s degree with NET: 75 points
- Master’s degree with SET/SLET: 73 points
2. Interview Marks (Maximum 15 points)
- Subject Knowledge: Up to 10 points
- Communication Skills: Up to 5 points
- Personality Traits: Up to 5 points
The final selection will be based on the combined score of academic qualification and interview. Standard reservation rules of the Tamil Nadu government will be followed during the selection process.
Salary and Benefits
- Monthly Honorarium: ₹25,000 per month
- Duration: 11 months, valid only for the current academic year
- Temporary Guest Lecturers are expected to join the allotted colleges immediately upon receiving the appointment order.
Regional and Departmental Selection
The recruitment process is conducted region-wise, with each region having a selection committee composed of:
- Chairperson (Head of the region)
- Two senior professors or associate professors (from relevant departments)
- Regional Deputy Director of College Education
Merit Lists:
- Academic scores will be used to prepare department-wise merit lists for each region.
- Selected candidates will be invited for interviews in the respective colleges.
- The final combined merit list and a waiting list will be uploaded online.
- In case of a tie in total scores, priority will be given based on date of birth and application number.
Joining Procedure
- Selected candidates must report to their allotted college with original certificates within 5 working days of receiving the appointment order.
- Failure to join within the stipulated period will result in cancellation of the appointment, and the next candidate from the waiting list will be selected.
- Temporary Guest Lecturers will work under the supervision of the college principal and will receive instructions from the higher education department for smooth academic functioning.
Government Oversight
- All appointments will strictly adhere to Tamil Nadu Government regulations.
- Any irregularities in appointment will be the responsibility of the concerned Regional Deputy Director.
- In exceptional cases, if a temporary Guest Lecturer faces issues during service, the college principal, based on recommendations from a competent committee, has the authority to terminate the appointment.
Importance of Recruitment
This recruitment ensures that higher education in Tamil Nadu continues without disruption. The government, under the guidance of the Hon’ble Higher Education Minister, has emphasized the importance of temporary faculty for filling gaps in colleges where permanent teachers cannot be appointed immediately.
- The initiative is part of a broader effort to support underprivileged students, with more than 15,000 new seats and new departments created across Tamil Nadu.
- 15 new government colleges have been opened to meet the rising demand for higher education among students from economically weaker sections.
- So far, 574 temporary Guest Lecturers have been appointed, ensuring that education continues smoothly. The current recruitment will fill an additional 181 positions, bringing the total temporary appointments to 881 across 38 departments.
How to Apply
- Applications are accepted only online through the official portal.
- Upload all required documents in scanned form.
- Apply for only one region, prioritizing districts within that region.
- Pay the application fee as per your category.
- Download the interview call letter from the portal using the login credentials.
- Attend the interview with all original certificates.
