From 2021, a Ph.D. will be a must for teaching at university level, even for assistant professors, which is the entry-level designation for instructors in universities, according to a draft policy document seen by Hindustan Times. Teachers will undergo a mandatory, month-long induction programme before starting work and also have to devote two hours for mentoring of students for community development/extra-curricular activities. So far, at the entry level, the minimum eligibility requirement for an assistant professor was that they should have cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET) and have a Masters degree. In addition to the Ph.D., aspirants will have to clear the National Eligibility Test (NET) or an accredited test (state level eligibility test) or other similar exams, HRD ministry officials added. However, those who obtained PhDs before 2009 will not be required to clear NET. The government is likely to notify the new qualifications and other measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education soon.