The Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) has struck down the State government’s appointment of Principals to arts and science colleges, ruling that the appointments were made in violation of UGC norms and established guidelines.
A Division Bench comprising judicial member P.V. Asha and administrative member P.K. Kesavan, in its judgement delivered on Tuesday, directed that fresh appointments must be made from a list of 110 eligible candidates in 2022 in strict adherence to UGC guidelines.
A selection committee had then found 43 candidates eligible, from among which 36 were promoted as Principals. The remaining shortlisted candidates had retired by then.
The appointment process had then witnessed controversy after the Higher Education department was accused of bypassing UGC norms by accepting articles published in journals that are not listed in the UGC-CARE (Consortium for Academic and Research Ethics) list for placements and promotions. The government also came under fire for considering deputation service as teaching experience. Such instances paved the way for allegations that the process was being manipulated by easing selection criteria to favour certain candidates.
The tribunal has now held that only the deputation service rendered in the fields of teaching and research can be considered towards teaching experience for the appointment to the post of Principal.
It also ordered a fresh selection committee strictly in tune with UGC Regulations. While those who had been promoted earlier are not compelled to appear for any interview for the appointment process, their current appointments would, however, be subject to the outcome of the reassessment.
The entire exercise will have to be completed within three months, the KAT ruled.
Published – July 30, 2025 08:40 pm IST
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