Remuneration dispute: Around 100 guest lecturers of Maharani Cluster University are protesting for a week

The government directed the Maharani Cluster University to recruit guest lecturers for 2026-27 on its own, but the university submitted a statement that it could not bear the cost of the remuneration. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Due to some confusing decisions of the Maharani Cluster University and the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE), more than 100 guest lecturers working in the university have remained unpaid for the last two months.

They boycotted classes and held protests last week, warning of a hunger strike if the government did not resolve their salary issues.

The state government directed the university to recruit guest lecturers for 2026–27 on its own, but the university submitted a statement that it could not bear the cost of the remuneration.

Recruited by DCE

Subsequently, the government directed the DCE to conduct the recruitment, with remuneration to be paid at the university level. DCE then appointed 106 visiting lecturers at the university in August 2026 to teach Arts, Science and Commerce subjects. Meanwhile, the university directly recruited 30 guest lecturers to teach BCA, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The visiting lecturers it appoints are provided by the DCE with remuneration ranging from ₹ 35,000 to ₹ 40,000, which is paid after deducting around ₹ 200 for professional tax, exclusive of Tax Deducted at Source (TDS). In contrast, visiting lecturers appointed directly by universities are paid up to ₹50,000 with 10% to 20% TDS.

However, the university took steps to deduct TDS from the remuneration paid to guest lecturers selected by the DCE as well, leading to a confrontation.

What rules apply

The lecturer argues that if DCEs are selected and delegated, they should only be subject to departmental rules. “The visiting lecturers appointed as DCEs in Nrupathunga Cluster University and Mandya Cluster University are getting their remuneration without any TDS. If TDS is to be deducted, the university should hire us directly and pay ₹50,000 remuneration,” urged the guest lecturer.

“The teaching hours are determined based on the available workload for guest lecturers and the remuneration is paid accordingly. As a result, most of the guest lecturers get only three to four teaching hours per week. In this situation, when TDS is deducted from the already paltry remuneration, how are we to cope?” lamented another guest lecturer.

The guest lecturer said that during the university board meeting, it was verbally assured that the guest lecturers would be given 10 months remuneration as per DCE regulations and payments would be made by the 10th day of every month along with issuance of service certificate. “However, the university is now refusing to issue the service certificate. What’s worse, it has not even paid the gratuity for the past two months,” he said, adding that their appeals to the university and the director of the higher education department did not lead to a lawsuit.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mamatha B., acting vice-chancellor of the university, said, “TDS is deducted as per the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal order. Steps will be taken to ensure that the rewards are in accordance with university regulations.”

Published – 03 Oct 2026 22:17 IST