Stakeholders Were Caught In Cross-Fire: Apex Court Says After Appointments Made To Long-Vacant VC Posts in Kerala Universities

The Supreme Court, today, has successfully resolved a long-standing vacuum in two of Kerala's universities, as appointments have been made to posts of Vice Chancellors.

The Bench was hearing the matter related to the appointments of the Vice Chancellors of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the University of Digital Sciences Innovation and Technology.

Previously, the Court, on December 11, 2025, ordered the Justice Dhulia-led committee to re-examine the matter and submit a single, comprehensive recommendation.

The Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K.V. Viswanathan ordered, "After our last order, there have been some positive developments. This case illustrates how a timely and decisive intervention by this court can go a long way in protecting the rights of citizens. Two prominent universities in Kerala, dealing with the cutting-edge subjects, were rulerless for a long time. They had no permanent Vice Chancellors heading them. The only reason was that the consensus was eluding the Government and the Chancellor. When the doors of this Court were knocked, we were deeply concerned about the plight of the students, their parents, the teaching and non-teaching staff, including those in the affiliated bodies...In short, our concern was for all these stakeholders. They were unfortunately caught in the crossfire. Following the model adopted by this court in a similar case arising from the State of West Bengal, we appointed Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia to be the Chairperson of the Search and Selection committee and entrusted him with the task of recommending a panel of three names for the post of Vice Chancellors of two universities. Today, we are happy to record that both the Chancellor and the Government, in one voice, have reported to us that the appointments have been made from the list of empanelled candidates. We place on record our gratitude to the good office of Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, who has brought to bear in this matter...Our endeavour was to ensure that the institutions have a permanent head, which alone would ensure that the interests of all the stakeholders are safeguarded.”

Attorney General R. Venkataramani appeared for the Governor of the State of Kerala, whereas Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta appeared for the State of Kerala.

Attorney General Venkataramani submitted, “Matter has been resolved, duly communicated to Justice Dhulia.”

Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta said, “There is an affidavit filed…if your lordships are taking it on the record…I will file a counter…there are certain things in those affidavits which we do not agree.”

Justice Pardiwala remarked, “Our concern all throughout was that the appointments must be made; we are sure that anyone who has been appointed is meritorious.”

“This could have not happened without the intervention of the Court,”, Senior Advocate Gupta said.

Justice Pardiwala said, “A university cannot function without the Vice Chancellor…Our concern was only the stakeholders.”

Background

On December 5, 2025, the Court remarked that if the State of Kerala and the Governor fail to reach a consensus regarding the appointment of the Vice Chancellors of State Universities, then the Court will intervene and make the appointment.

Previously, the Court appointed former Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, as the Chairman of Search-cum-Selection Committee to facilitate the appointment of regular Vice-Chancellors for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology.

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Governor of Kerala, in his capacity as the Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, filed a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court challenging the judgment passed by the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court upholding the State Government’s invocation of Section 13(7) of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University Act, 2015 to make temporary Vice Chancellor appointments, despite non-compliance with the eligibility conditions prescribed under the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations, 2018.

The Supreme Court also permitted the Kerala Governor (Chancellor) to appoint temporary Vice-Chancellors (VCs) to two Universities in the state, pending permanent appointment. The Apex Court also urged the Kerala Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, and the State of Kerala, to cooperate in resolving the ongoing dispute over the appointment of Vice Chancellors, emphasising the need to safeguard the interests of students.

Earlier, on August 13, 2025, the Supreme Court while hearing the Kerala Governor’s petition challenging the Kerala High Court’s decision upholding the State’s interpretation of the law on temporary Vice-Chancellor appointments, said it would itself constitute a Search Committee to facilitate the appointment of regular Vice-Chancellors for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, after the State of Kerala and the Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor, failed to reach a consensus on the process. Accordingly, the matter is now listed for a further date.

Accordingly, the matter is now listed for a further date for the consideration of the questions of law involved.

Cause Title: The Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University v. State of Kerala & Ors. [Diary No. 40761/2025]