In a significant blow to Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who also serves as Chancellor of state universities, the Kerala High Court on Monday upheld an earlier ruling that declared the temporary appointments of Vice-Chancellors (VCs) at two prominent state universities as legally unsustainable.
A Division Bench of Justices Anil K Narendran and P V Balakrishnan dismissed writ appeals filed by the Chancellor and others challenging a May 19, 2025 single-judge verdict that invalidated the appointments of Dr. Ciza Thomas as interim VC of Kerala Digital University and Dr. K Sivaprasad at A P J Abdul Kalam Technological University.
The appointments, made through Chancellor’s notifications dated November 27, 2024, had bypassed statutory norms and University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations, the High Court held.
Court Criticises Procedural Violations
The Division Bench noted that even temporary appointments of VCs require compliance with the statutory process, including recommendation of a panel of names by the state government. The Chancellor’s unilateral appointments, the court said, lacked legal backing and violated university statutes and UGC’s 2018 regulations.
Referring to Supreme Court precedents, the bench reaffirmed that Vice-Chancellors must be selected through an independent and transparent process to maintain the autonomy and credibility of higher education institutions.
“The Vice-Chancellor is the bridge between academic and administrative functions of a university,” the court observed. It added that any deviation from the prescribed process, even for interim positions, undermines the institutional framework.
Call for Urgent Resolution
Highlighting the administrative deadlock in both universities, the court urged immediate action to restore normalcy. “Considering the stalemate… and its adverse impact on students, the Chancellor as well as the State Government will have to act pro-actively, to ensure that regular appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor… is made, without any further delay,” the bench said.
Political Context and State Response
The verdict comes amid a prolonged standoff between the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front government and the Governor over university governance in the state.
Welcoming the High Court’s decision, Kerala Higher Education Minister R Bindu said the court had affirmed the government’s position that the Governor overstepped his authority.
“The Governor has powers, but when he crosses limits, it creates problems,” she remarked, calling the appointments “disgraceful” and damaging to the universities’ reputation.
General Education and Labour Minister V Sivankutty echoed her sentiments, describing the ruling as a victory for the state’s commitment to transparency and rule of law in education.
UGC Norms Prevail
The High Court also clarified that the UGC’s 2018 regulations concerning qualifications and appointment procedures would override any conflicting provisions in state laws, reinforcing the supremacy of central norms in academic appointments.
