Disposed¶34

A.Manikandan v. The Principal Secretary to Government

Madras HC16 Jul 2025WP/15315/2020

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

Anna University recruitment notification dated 30.09.2020; Assistant University Librarian Grade-I; minimum qualifications; mandatory Ph.D. versus UGC-NET eligibility; UGC Regulations 2018; UGC guidelines; writ of certiorarified mandamus; Article 226; vacancies already filled; prospective direction for future recruitment; Madras High Court; N.Mala J.; 2025.

What did the court decide?

No quashing of the impugned notification; the writ petition was disposed of with a prospective direction to the respondents to issue notification by following UGC guidelines in the upcoming recruitment. No costs; connected miscellaneous petitions closed. ¶34

A.Manikandan Vs The Principal Secretary to Government — Writ and Judicial Review | Madras HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

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Issue for consideration

Whether the minimum-qualification criteria prescribed in Anna University's notification dated 30.09.2020 for the post of Assistant University Librarian Grade-I (First Class in Bachelor's degree and a mandatory Ph.D.), being contrary to the UGC Regulations, 2018 which permit either NET qualification or Ph.D., ought to be quashed and fresh notifications issued fixing qualifications in terms of the UGC Regulations, 2018.

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Court's answer

The Court directed the respondents to issue notification by following UGC guidelines in the upcoming recruitment.

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Ratio / Principle

All vacant positions for the post of Assistant University Librarian Grade-I having been filled by the third respondent pursuant to the impugned notification, no further adjournments were required in the writ petition.

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Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

W.P.No.15315 of 2020 (Madras High Court, N.Mala J., 16.07.2025): Two postgraduate library professionals who had cleared UGC-NET sought quashing of the portion of Anna University's recruitment notification No.001/RC/UD-FR/PR10&20/2020-1 dated 30.09.2020 prescribing 'First Class in Bachelor's degree and a mandatory Ph.D.' for appointment as Assistant University Librarian Grade-I, as contrary to the UGC Regulations, 2018, which permit either NET qualification or Ph.D. The standing counsel for Anna University submitted that the notification was issued as per UGC guidelines and that the vacant positions had been filled. Observing that all vacancies stood filled, the Court did not quash the notification; it disposed of the writ petition, directing the respondents to issue notification by following UGC guidelines in the upcoming recruitment. No costs; connected miscellaneous petitions closed.

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W.P.No.15315 of 2020

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 16.07.2025

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CORAM :

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THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE N.MALA

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Writ Petition No.15315 of 2020 and W.M.P.Nos.19145 to 19148 of 2020

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1.A.Manikandan

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2.A.S.Puhazhenthi ... Petitioners

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Vs.

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1.The Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department, Secretariat, Chennai – 600 009.

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2.The University Grants Commission (UGC), Rep. by its Chairman, Bahadur Shah Zagar Marg, New Delhi – 110 002.

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3.The Registrar, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai – 600 025.

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4.The Director, Recruitment Cell, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai – 600 025.

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… Respondents

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Page No.1 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.15315 of 2020

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Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus calling for the records of the impugned notification bearing No.001/RC/UD-FR/PR10&20/2020-1 dated 30.09.2020 with respect to the portion of 'Minimum Qualification for the post of Assistant University Librarian Grade-I in 'University Library' issued by the third respondent and quash the same and further direct the respondents 3 and 4 to issue Notifications afresh by fixing minimum qualification in terms of the “UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2018.

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For Petitioners : Mr.R.Bharath Kumar For Respondent 1 : Mr.C.Jayaprakash, Government Advocate For Respondent 2 : M/s.V.Sudha For Respondents 3 & 4 :Mr.Bharanidharan, Standing Counsel

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O R D E R

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Page No.2 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.15315 of 2020

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This writ petition has been filed to call for the records of the impugned notification bearing No.001/RC/UD-FR/PR10&20/2020-1 dated 30.09.2020 with respect to the portion of 'Minimum Qualification for the post of Assistant University Librarian Grade-I in 'University Library' issued by the third respondent and quash the same and further direct the respondents 3 and 4 to issue Notifications afresh by fixing minimum qualification in terms of the “UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education, 2018.

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Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the Petitioners are qualified library professional, holding postgraduate degrees and having cleared the UGC-NET, challenge a notification dated 30.09.2020 issued by Anna University inviting applications for the post of Assistant University Librarian Grade-I. The notification prescribed eligibility criteria, namely, First Class in Bachelor’s degree and a mandatory Ph.D., which are contrary to the UGC Regulations, 2018 that permit either NET qualification or Ph.D. for such appointments. Despite making representations, the Respondents failed to amend the notification. Aggrieved by this arbitrary deviation from the UGC

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Page No.3 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.15315 of 2020

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norms, which rendered them ineligible despite satisfying the statutory qualifications, the petitioners have filed this writ petition.

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Learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents 3 & 4 would

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submit that the notification was issued as per the UGC guidelines and pursuant to the notification, the vacant positions were filed by the third respondent.

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Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

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Since, all the vacant positions have been filed by the third respondent for the post of Assistant University Librarian Grade-I, no further adjournments required in this writ petition. However, this Court directs the respondents to issue notification by following UGC guidelines in the upcoming recruitment.

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