In a significant ruling, the Kerala High Court on Monday dismissed appeals filed by the state’s Governor - who also functions as the Chancellor of state universities.
The court upheld an earlier verdict that invalidated the temporary appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) at two major institutions.
The court reiterated that such appointments must comply with legal procedures and University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
The Division Bench, comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan, upheld a single-judge ruling from May 19, 2025, which deemed the appointments at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala Digital University as legally unsustainable.
The Chancellor had appointed Ciza Thomas and K Sivaprasad to lead the Digital University and Technological University respectively through notifications issued on November 27, 2024. These appointments were made on a temporary basis, citing provisions in university legislation that permit such appointments for up to six months in the absence of a permanent VC.
However, the state government contested these decisions, arguing that the process bypassed the statutory requirement of recommending a panel of names and also violated UGC guidelines. The High Court agreed, noting that even interim appointments must be made following the legally mandated process.
The court stressed the critical role of Vice-Chancellors, describing them as the essential "bridge between academic and administrative functions" of a university. It also cited Supreme Court rulings that emphasise the need for politically neutral and independent VC selections.
“Considering the stalemate existing in the administration of the Technological University and the Digital University, which is continuing for a considerably long period, and which had an adverse impact on the functioning of the said universities and the interest of the student community, we are of the view that the Chancellor as well as the State Government will have to act proactively, to ensure that regular appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor in the said Universities are made, without any further delay,” the court stated.
The judges further clarified that the UGC’s 2018 regulations on appointments and qualifications for academic staff superseded any contradictory state-level provisions.
The verdict is being seen as a win for the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government, which has been engaged in a prolonged standoff with the Governor over the control and functioning of universities in Kerala.
Welcoming the judgment, Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the court had “confirmed that the Governor's actions in appointing Vice-Chancellors were unlawful.” She remarked, “The Governor has powers, but when he crosses the limits, it causes problems,” calling the appointments “disgraceful” and damaging to the reputation of the universities.
Echoing her sentiments, General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty hailed the ruling as a victory for the government's push to maintain transparency and legality in the education system.