Bhubaneswar: In order to ensure transparency, uniformity and smooth academic administration, the state govt has, for the first time, put in place a formal framework for nominating heads of departments (HoDs) in govt degree colleges, making eligibility, seniority, and rotation the basis for assigning the charge.The higher education department issued guidelines for nomination of HoDs in govt colleges on Saturday. Joint secretary to govt Mousumi Nayak, in the order on nomination guidelines issued to principals of all govt degree colleges, has also clarified that the HoD assignment is a temporary functional and administrative responsibility, not a separate cadre post, and will not confer any additional seniority, promotional or financial benefits.This first-ever framework makes rotation the basis for HoD nomination, while fixing the normal tenure at two years.Under the guidelines, professors, associate professors and assistant professors (stage-III) will be eligible for the assignment. In the absence of a senior eligible faculty member, lecturers (senior scale) and assistant professors (stage-I and stage-II) can also be considered. And where no eligible faculty member is available, a teacher from another department, preferably an allied subject, will be nominated. The nominated faculty member must have at least three years of regular teaching experience in a govt or govt-recognised college.Principals will now have to prepare a rotation list of eligible teachers in each department in consultation with the staff council.Every eligible faculty member will get a turn before the rotation cycle is repeated. “The date of regular promotion to the eligible cadre will be the primary criterion for preparing the eligibility list. If two or more faculty members were promoted to the cadre on the same date, their relative seniority will be determined based on their position in the Odisha Public Service Commission merit list relating to their initial appointment,” the guidelines stated.While the tenure of an HoD will be two years, it can be extended by another year under special circumstances with the principal’s approval. If a faculty member declines or is unavailable, the next eligible teacher in the rotation will take charge. The teacher, who is skipped, will, however, remain in the rotation cycle for the next round.Principals have been directed to follow the provisions scrupulously, with any deviation requiring prior approval of the department.“Before these guidelines, principals used to normally choose a faculty member to head the department irrespective of seniority,” said an official, requesting anonymity.First such moveThe guidelines also formally spell out the responsibilities of the HoDsHoDs will coordinate examinations and mentor students, maintain departmental records and submit an annual report to the principal concernedThey will represent their departments in college-level academic and administrative meetings and ensure data uploading on platforms such as OSHEC, HED, IQAC, AISHE, NAAC and NIRFAny grievance relating to HoD nomination will first be dealt with by the college principal. If disputed, the matter can be referred to the higher education department, whose decision will be final