The Division Bench also imposed a six-month limit on interim appointments and instructed that permanent Vice-Chancellors must be appointed without further delay.
Published Jul 14, 2025 | 9:24 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 14, 2025 | 9:26 PM
The Kerala High Court. (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: The Kerala High Court on Monday upheld the single bench verdict declaring the appointment of two Vice-Chancellors by the Governor as unlawful. The Division Bench ruled that temporary appointments must be made strictly from the panel recommended by the State Government and in accordance with University Grants Commission norms. The court directed the State to appoint permanent Vice-Chancellors in all universities without further delay.
The Kerala High Court has upheld the single bench verdict that declared the temporary appointments of Vice-Chancellors in two State universities illegal, dealing a significant blow to the Governor’s authority.
In an order dated Monday, 14 July, the Division Bench, while dismissing the appeal filed by the Governor – who also serves as Chancellor of state universities – affirmed that interim VCs must be selected strictly from the panel proposed by the state government.
The court’s decision directly affects Dr Ciza Thomas, Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, and Prof K Sivaprasad of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, both of whom were appointed by former Governor Arif Mohammad Khan in November 2024.
The High Court has now ruled that their appointments were unlawful, setting a precedent that strengthens the state’s authority in university governance.
The Division Bench also imposed a six-month limit on interim appointments and instructed that permanent Vice-Chancellors must be appointed without further delay.
Emphasising the need to protect student interests and maintain university operations, the court noted that prolonged delays in filling key academic positions could undermine the academic ecosystem.
The High Court firmly stated that temporary appointments to the post of VC must be made strictly from a panel recommended by the state government, in accordance with the governing statutes and University Grants Commission (UGC) norms.
The Division Bench comprising Justices Anil K Narendran and PV Balakrishnan dismissed four writ appeals challenging a single bench judgment that had quashed the temporary VC appointments.
The court declared that the notifications appointing Dr K Sivaprasad and Dr Ciza Thomas were not sustainable in law, as they were issued unilaterally by the Chancellor without adhering to the procedure under Sections 13(7) and 11(10) of the respective Acts.
Crucially, the court held that appointments must be made from the panel forwarded by the state government, and must comply with UGC Regulations 2018, which override any conflicting provisions in state laws.
The court also clarified that the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications and Appointment Procedures (2018) will prevail in case of any conflict with state laws.
It directed the government to expedite the process of appointing regular VCs as per these norms and to avoid further delays, citing Supreme Court rulings (Gambhirdan K Gadhvi and Dr Sreejith cases) that underscore the academic and administrative significance of the VC’s role.
The High Court has also raised concern over the severe shortage of full-time Vice-Chancellors in Kerala’s higher education system, directing the government to immediately appoint permanent VCs in all universities.
At present, 12 out of the 13 state universities are functioning under interim arrangements.
The only exception is Dr Mohanan Kunnummal, the full-time VC of the Kerala University of Health Sciences, who is also holding additional charge at the University of Kerala.
Reacting to the court’s directive, Higher Education Minister R Bindu welcomed the verdict and reaffirmed the government’s stand.
She noted that the Chancellor’s interventions had been declared unlawful and criticised previous appointments allegedly made based on political leanings rather than merit.
“Those who secured top posts through political allegiance rather than academic excellence must understand that their actions are harming students,” she said, highlighting the need to preserve the integrity of Kerala’s universities, which have been steadily rising in national academic rankings.
Dr Ciza Thomas’s short tenure as Acting VC in the first week of July was marked by both administrative action and controversy. She assumed charge at Kerala University amidst protests led by student organisations like Students Federation of India, prompting her to seek police protection.
Despite the tension, she initiated several internal measures, including revoking digital access for former officials and resuming student services. Her appointment was also significant historically – as the first woman to ever hold the VC post, even in an interim capacity, at Kerala University.
Beyond campus tensions, Dr Thomas also stirred a storm with a report she submitted to the Chancellor, flagging serious financial irregularities at Digital University Kerala.
She alleged that certain faculty members were using university infrastructure and manpower for private businesses, and raised questions about the ₹94.85 crore Graphene-Aurora project, including premature fund transfers to a private firm.
An independent audit has been sought, even as opposition parties accuse the state of facilitating large-scale corruption in higher education.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
