Thenmozhi said faculties are not dead against regulation but there should not be any compromise with quality. 'After our meeting Monday, the federation has submitted a memorandum to the ministry Tuesday. We hope to get an official reply.'

Replying to Sibal's argument that fresh PhDs should not be appointed as teachers on a permanent basis, she said: 'When a fresh PhD is appointed in an university, he/she does not join on contract. Then why should it happen in case of the IITs? If a quality fresh PhD can produce good things, then why take him or her on contract?'

Sibal had said that a PhD holder with no teaching experience 'should not be immediately absorbed into the system. If he has had two years' teaching experience, then he can have a one-year contract and then we can absorb him. If no experience, then it'll take him three years to be absorbed.'