JUDGMENT :

Gopinath, J.

These original petitions have been filed challenging the common order dated 05-03-2020 in OA (EKM) No.500/2019 and connected cases on the file of the Kerala Administrative Tribunal.

2. The issues arising for our consideration relate to qualifications required for the posts of Assistant Professors (now designated as Associate Professors), Professors and Principals in the Government Engineering Colleges in the State of Kerala. These posts are those borne on a service known as the Kerala Technical Education Service and are governed by the Special Rules for the Kerala Technical Education Service issued as per G.O (MS) No.784/67/PD dated 02-09-1967 as amended from time to time (‘the State Rules’).

3. The All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987 (hereinafter referred to as 'the AICTE Act') was enacted by the Parliament and provisions of the Act and Regulations etc., made under the said Act were to govern the Technical Education Institutions across the country. Th