Judging by headlines alone, faculty members across government colleges and universities in Tamil Nadu have spent the better half of the past two years in upheaval over a plethora of issues that are yet to be resolved. A fair pay scale, timely promotions and clearance of pending increments, regularisation of the services of part-time and temporary employees, restoration of special pay provisions and revival of the old pension scheme are among their demands. Nahla Nainar explains the key issues plaguing higher education in the State