Central Administrative Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi Thursday, this the 11th day of December, 2025 Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ranjit More, Chairman Hon’ble Mr. Rajinder Kashyap, Member (A)

Krishan Murari Gupta TGT (SST) aged about 53 years Kendriya Vidyalaya No. OCF, Shahjahanpur-II (1397)

… Applicant (By Advocate: Mr. S N Sharma with Mr. Mahabir)

Versus

1. UOI through its Secretary Ministry of Education, 302-C, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

2. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangthan Through its Commissioner KVS

18, Institutional Area, Sahid Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi-110016.

…Respondents (By Advocate: Mr. S Rajappa with Mr. R. Gowrishankar and Ms. G Dhivyasri, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Sharma)

O R D E R (ORAL)

Per: Justice Ranjit More, Chairman Heard learned counsel for the respective parties.

2. Considering the nature of the issue involved in the present O.A., and with the consent of learned counsel for the respective parties, the matter is taken up for final hearing at the admission stage itself.

3. Pursuant to Recruitment Notification No. 01/2025 issued by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan(KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti(NVS) for recruitment to various teaching and non-teaching posts in KVS and NVS, the applicant attempted to apply online for the post of Principal in KVS. However, his application was not accepted on the ground that he is a Trained Graduate Teacher(TGT). Aggrieved thereby, he has approached this Tribunal seeking the following reliefs:

“(i) Direct the respondents to declare the applicant eligible for the above said post who is having more experience than PGT and also fulfilling other eligibility.

(ii) Direct the respondents to insert/add the TGT qualifications as the applicant is having more experience than PGT 12 years’ experience in the recruitment rules and also in the recruitment notification.

(iii) Direct the respondents in case of selection of the applicant, appointment the applicant to the post of Principal.”

4. In terms of Recruitment Notification No. 01/2025, the essential qualifications for the post of Principal are as follows:

“ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

i) Master’s Degree with at least 50% marks from recognized institution/University.

ii) Bachelor degree in Education (B.Ed.) with at least 50% marks from NCTE recognized Institution/University.

OR Three year integrated B.Ed.-M.Ed. from NCTE recognized institution/University with at least 50% marks OR Four years Integrated Degree with at least 50% marks including B.Ed.

component from NCTE recognized Institution/University (50% marks)

iii) Working as Principal in Pay Level-12 (Rs.78800-209200) in the Pay Matrix in Central/State Govt./Autonomous organizations of Central/State Govt.

OR For KVS: Working as Vice-Principal for 3 years in Pay Level-10 (Rs.56100- 177500) in Central/State Govt. /Autonomous organizations of Central/State Govt.

For NVS: Vice-Principal/Asstt. Education Officer in Central/State Govt./Autonomous organizations of Central/State Govt. in Level-10 (Rs.56100-177500) in the Pay Matrix, having 09 years of combined service as PGT and Vice-Principal, in which minimum 03 years as VicePrincipal.

OR

12 years regular service as PGT/Lecturer in Pay Level-8 (Rs.47600-151100) in Central/ State Govt./Autonomous organizations of Central/State Govt.

iv) Knowledge of Computer Applications.

v) Working knowledge of Hindi and English Desirable Experience for NVS: i) At least three years’ experience as House Master of a fully residential school. ii) Experience of working in a fully residential/CBSE affiliated/Govt. recognized school.

5. Mr. S N Sharma, learned counsel for the applicant, relying upon the Recruitment Rules (RRs) of KVS for the post of Principal, submits that the applicant possesses a Master’s Degree as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (B.Ed.) with 50% marks and, therefore, he is eligible to apply for the post of Principal in KVS. In the alternative, he submits that the RRs for the post of Principal in KVS are arbitrary and liable to be quashed.

6. On the contrary, Mr. Rajappa a