The Allahabad High Court has sought explanations from the Uttar Pradesh government and the U.P. Public Service Commission (UPPSC) over large-scale vacancies in Professor posts in State Medical Colleges, observing that unfilled vacancies are one of the reasons for the failing standards of these institutions.
Justice Siddharth Nandan directed the State to explain why a recruitment board notified in January 2026 has still not been constituted, and asked the UPPSC Secretary to file a personal affidavit on the status of pending recruitments. The matter will next be heard on November 25, 2026.
How the Issue Reached the Court
The writ petition was filed by Srinivasan Gandhi, who was sought to be replaced by another ad hoc employee. The Court noted that this was against settled principles of law, and took up the exercise of determining why regular vacancies in State Medical Colleges were not being filled.
In the Court’s words, the exercise was aimed at “determining the reasons for not filling up the regular vacancies and thereby creating these artificial exigencies, which in turn leads to appointment on contractual basis”, with important positions like Head of Department being run by Assistant or Associate Professors despite sanctioned posts of Professors.
State’s Figures: Only 26 of 108 Posts Filled
Pursuant to the Court’s order of October 13, 2026, the Director General, Medical Education and Training, U.P., filed a personal affidavit.
Standing Counsel Saurabh, appearing for the State, informed the Court that there are 517 sanctioned posts of Professors in State Medical Colleges, of which 25% are to be filled by direct recruitment and 75% by promotion. Of the 108 posts meant for direct recruitment, only 26 incumbents are working, leaving more than 75% of these posts vacant.
He further submitted that requisitions for 35 posts had been forwarded by the State Government to the UPPSC, but no advertisement has been issued so far. However, 44 posts of Professors were advertised on August 18, 2026, and the selection process is under way.
The State also placed on record a Government Order dated June 14, 2024, authorising Principals of State Medical Colleges to make appointments through walk-in interviews, issued to meet contingencies in the functioning of the colleges.
Court Cannot Shut Its Eyes
Going through the chart annexed to the affidavit, the Court found that in a majority of departments across State Medical Colleges, the department is managed either by a contractual employee or by an Assistant or Associate Professor.
The Court observed: “This is also one of the reasons for the failing standards of the State Medical Colleges in the State of Uttar Pradesh and accordingly this Court cannot shut its eyes to the core issue of vacancies not being filled up as per the statutory requirements.”
It also noted that a notification dated January 30, 2026, had been issued for constituting the “Uttar Pradesh Specialist Doctors and Medical Teacher Recruitment Board”, but more than 10 months later, the Board has not been constituted and appointments still rest with the UPPSC. The Court further recorded that the advertisement for the 44 posts was issued only after the present writ petition was filed.
UPPSC Impleaded, Affidavits Sought
On the request of the petitioner’s counsel, Akhtar Ali, the Court permitted the UPPSC to be impleaded as a necessary party, with a copy of the record to be served on its panel counsel, Advocate Avneesh Tripathi.
By the next date, the State must file an affidavit of a responsible officer showing cause why the Board has not been constituted. The UPPSC Secretary must file a personal affidavit disclosing:
- the status of the 44 advertised posts and the timeline for completing the selection;
- why posts for which the State has forwarded requisitions have not been advertised, though there is no legal impediment; and
- the guidelines for appointing panels of experts, to demonstrate transparency in appointments.
The Court warned that “in case the requisite affidavits are not filed by the next date fixed, the Court shall be compelled to pass suitable orders against the concerned officials.”
The matter is listed on November 25, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Case Title: Srinivasan Gandhi v. State of U.P. and 3 Others
Case No.: Writ – A No. 13035 of 2026
Bench: Justice Siddharth Nandan
Date: November 3, 2026
