Selection process must adhere to UGC norms and ensure transparency, although procedural violations in reservation can be noted without invalidating the process.

ORDER

Justice K.Haripal, Judicial Member

On 13.06.2025, the 3^rd respondent Director of Education, Union Territory of Lakshadweep published Annexure-A1 employment notice inviting applications from qualified hands 'for preparing a panel list for the purpose of engaging faculty on contract basis as per the requirements of the Higher Educational Institutions under the Department of Education in Lakshadweep'. Posts included Principal, Arts and Science Colleges, Assistant Professors in various branches and subjects. Similarly, posts of Principal and Lecturers in Engineering in different branches were invited for the Polytechnic College under the 3^rd respondent. The cut off date for acquiring qualification was the date of issue of the notification, that is 13.06.2025. Candidates were required to produce original certificates for verification, it selected for contract engagement. Age limit for teaching faculty is between 22 to 60 and for the post of Principal, between 30 to 65. Nature of engagement is purely on contract basis subject to institutional requirements. Candidates also required to undergo online/physical interview. Venue for physical interview was Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. Essential as well as desirable qualifications were mentioned against each post.

2. Annexure-A1 employment notice contains all necessary particulars for submitting application including nature of duty, remuneration etc.

3. Applicants, nine in number, had responded to the notification. Later, selection process was held and merit list was published for each post on 23.09.2025. The applicants are peeved at not having given selection and have approached the Tribunal seeking the following reliefs:

“i. Call for the entire records pertaining to the selection process for the post of Assistant Professors (Contractual) initiated pursuant to Notification No. LD-23004/1/2025-Acd-Wng-Dir of Edn/60 dated 13-06-2025 issued by the Respondents.

ii. Declare the entire selection process, including the merit list prepared for the interview and the interviews conducted, as illegal, arbitrary, and void ab initio, and consequently set aside the same.

Iii. Direct the Respondents to conduct a fresh selection process for the said posts in a fair and transparent manner, strictly in accordance with the applicable UGC norms and after constituting a proper and competent selection committee.“

4. According to the applicants, the entire selection process is vitiated by lack of transparency. Everything was done arbitrarily violating Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. They have also flawed the constitution of the selection committee. According to them, the Chairman of the Committee, one Attakoya is an employee in the cadre of primary teacher lacking requisite academic expertise and competence to assess the suitability of candidates for the post of Assistant Professors in Degree Colleges. His appointment vitiates the entire selection process. Further, the respondents have failed to adhere to the scheme of weightage for academic qualifications, experience etc. as stipulated under the UGC norms. Even for contract appointments standards of qualification, selection criteria etc. cannot be diluted, it is submitted.

5. Further, it is averred that the interview was not video recorded, which is a deliberate act to conceal the arbitrariness and favouritism. The merit list of candidates for the interview was prepared without conducting prior and thorough verification of certificates and qualifications, which allowed the candidates with questionable or invalid qualifications to proceed in the selection process, which caused grave prejudice to the gen