The Kerala High Court has quashed multiple Vice-Chancellor appointments made unilaterally by Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, ruling that they violated both the University Act and UGC’s 2018 regulations. The court stated that interim VCs must be selected only from a panel recommended by the state government, and that temporary appointments cannot exceed six months.
The judgment comes amid a long-standing tug-of-war between the Governor and the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government, particularly over the Governor’s refusal to consult the government while naming VCs across several universities.
The court’s ruling firmly establishes that the Governor, even in his capacity as Chancellor, cannot bypass state-nominated panels and must adhere to prescribed regulatory procedures. This decision not only reinforces federal norms and academic autonomy but also paves the way for a more transparent and accountable selection of university leadership in Kerala.
