Last Updated:
State-wise, Tamil Nadu leads with 395 Professors Of Practice, followed by Maharashtra (193), Gujarat (179), Karnataka (170), and Uttar Pradesh (157).
The position of Professor of Practice is temporary and separate from sanctioned posts. (AI Generated Image)
More than 1,840 industry experts and professionals have been designated as Professors of Practice (PoP) in 349 universities and colleges nationwide, the Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday. This information was provided by Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, in response to a written question in Rajya Sabha, reported PTI.
As of January 5, 2026, a total of 1,841 PoPs have been engaged in 349 higher education institutions (HEIs) as part of the reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises skill-based learning and stronger industry-academia collaboration, said the minister.
“A total of 1,841 PoP have been engaged across 349 higher education institutions (HEIs) as on January 5, 2026 as part of reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which stresses skill-based learning and stronger industry-academia collaboration,” the minister said.
He further explained that the position of Professor of Practice is temporary and separate from sanctioned posts. “The post of Professor of Practice is a temporary post, exclusive of sanctioned post. It also provides an opportunity, to those in leadership positions in different fields, to come on honorary basis as Professor of Practice so as to give back to the society and contribute towards nation building,” he added.
According to the data, private universities have hired the most Professors of Practice (715), followed by deemed universities (699), state universities (212), and central universities (15). Colleges have made an additional 200 such appointments.
State-wise, Tamil Nadu leads with 395 PoPs, followed by Maharashtra (193), Gujarat (179), Karnataka (170), and Uttar Pradesh (157). Smaller states and Union Territories have also adopted this model, though in smaller numbers.
The minister noted, the maximum duration of service for a Professor of Practice at any given institution is three years, extendable by one year in exceptional cases, and should not exceed four years in total.
“The maximum duration of service of Professor of Practice at a given institution should not exceed three years and is extendable by one year in exceptional cases and the total service should not exceed four years under any circumstances,” the minister said.
February 12, 2026, 16:38 IST
Read More
