The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated a major recruitment drive to fill 1,523 teaching faculty posts across 18 State Public Universities and the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) as part of its job calendar and efforts to strengthen higher education in the State. The recruitment, announced by the Higher Education Department on Friday (May 15, 2026), includes posts of Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Assistant Librarians and Lecturers.

According to the notification, 1,244 posts are regular vacancies while 279 are backlog vacancies reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Backward Classes (BCs). The government stated that against the sanctioned strength of 4,343 teaching posts in State universities, only 972 are currently filled, making this the largest faculty recruitment initiative undertaken in recent years.

Among the universities, Andhra University has the highest number of vacancies with 246 posts and other major vacancies are in Sri Venkateswara University (125), Sri Krishnadevaraya University (103) and Acharya Nagarjuna University (82). Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies has 311 posts, across all its campuses in the State.

For the first time, the State has introduced a single Common Recruitment Portal for all university recruitments. Applications will be accepted online from May 18, 2026 through the portal and the last date for submission is June 8, 2026. The portal allows candidates to apply for multiple universities through a single application process.

The recruitment process includes a screening test by the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) for Assistant Professor posts wherever the number of applicants exceeds 12 per vacancy. Final selection will be based on written examination, academic and research credentials and interviews.

The government has also provided weightage for contractual faculty working in State universities. Additional marks and written-test weightage will be given based on years of eligible teaching service. Reservations for women, persons with disabilities, ex-servicemen and meritorious sportspersons will also be implemented as per government policy.

The government has clarified that earlier recruitment notifications issued in 2023 have been withdrawn and candidates who had applied earlier must submit fresh applications. However, fee adjustment and refund provisions have been introduced to protect the interests of previous applicants. Officials said the entire recruitment process is expected to be completed within three to six months.

Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Nara Lokesh said with only 972 faculty currently serving against a sanctioned strength of 4,343 posts, this recruitment is a decisive investment in academic excellence, research, innovation, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)/National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings and the future of Andhra Pradesh.

The Minister urged the aspiring candidates to prepare with utmost devotion, dedication, and academic commitment for this opportunity to serve the Universities and shape the future of the youth. “My heartfelt best wishes to all aspiring candidates preparing to become the next generation of teachers, mentors, researchers, and nation builders. May our universities emerge stronger than ever before,” he posted on X.