Chennai: Blaming the state higher education department for its failure to recruit faculty members for universities in Tamil Nadu at regular intervals, Madras high court has directed the state govt to consider enhancing the retirement age of the existing faculty members from 60 to 65 years.Justice P T Asha passed the order on Friday while allowing a plea moved by Tamil Nadu Federation of Universities Faculty Associations and directed the state govt to pass an order within eight weeks.According to the petitioners, over the next several years, a large number of faculty members are likely to retire upon attaining the age of superannuation (60 years).Due to the failure to recruit faculty members at regular intervals in the higher education department over the past several decades, most universities in Tamil Nadu are facing a shortage of faculty members and do not have the minimum number mandated by the University Grants Commission (UGC).“This shortage, if unaddressed, will adversely affect the quality of teaching, research, and academic standards in Tamil Nadu,” the federation said.Therefore, it submitted a representation dated Nov 28, 2025, to higher education department, seeking enhancement of the age of superannuation of its faculty members from 60 to 65. In support of its request, the federation pointed out that several state govts have already increased the age of superannuation of university faculty members to 65.Since the representation was not considered, the federation has approached the high court. Recording the submissions, the court said: “Considering the limited relief sought by the petitioner and taking note of the fact that the petitioner’s representation has not been considered to date, the petition is allowed.”The department is directed to consider and pass orders on the petitioner’s representation on merits and in accordance with law within eight weeks, the court added.
