Like faculty quota, the HRD ministry was in an awkward position when IIT faculties demanded a better pay packet on a par with scientists of ISRO and DRDO. A 40 percent cap in the promotion of IIT professors to the next level and appointment of fresh PhDs on permanent rolls are two other issues where the ministry was on the back foot. The consistent nation-wide protest and wide media coverage finally forced the government to settle the issue “within norms” but with certain “flexibilities”.
