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2025 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 37576
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
D. K. SINGH, J
ANU ALPHONSA AUGUSTINE – Appellant
Versus
KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY – Respondent
WP(C) NO. 1950 OF 2025
For the Appellants/Petitioners: SRI.JOSEPH GEORGE, SHRI.P.A.REJIMON, SMT.NIKITA NAIR C.S., SHRI.VIVEKJOS PUTHUKULANGARA, SHRI.SAJEEV JOHN T., SMT.MAHIMA MERINE REJI
For the Respondents: SHRI.M.V.ANANDAN, SHRI.T.C.KRISHNA, SRI.S.KRISHNAMOORTHY, SMT.I.SHEELA DEVI
No equivalency certificate is required for degrees from Central Universities as per established guidelines.
Headnote:(A) University Grants Commission Act, 1956 - Clauses regarding equivalency certificates for degrees - Court held that no equivalency certificate is required for degrees obtained from Central Universities, as per G.O (Ms) No. 272/2018 and existing legal precedent. (Paras 7, 8)
(B) Jurisdiction of Court - It is within the court's discretion to determine the necessity of equivalency certificates in the education system, following established norms. (Paras 6)
Facts of the case:
The petitioner was denied appointment due to lack of an equivalency certificate for her M.Sc Agronomy degree from a Central University. Respondents claimed such certification was essential, contrary to existing guidelines.
Findings of Court:
Degrees from recognized National Institutions, including Central Universities, do not require equivalency certification. The insistence by KAU was deemed unjustified.
Issues: Whether an equivalency certificate is required for a degree granted by a Central University.
Ratio Decidendi: Degrees from Central Universities, recognized by UGC, do not necessitate equivalency certifications as mandated by government orders.
Result: Petition allowed.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. petitioner’s degree is from a central university. (Para 1 , 2) |
| 2. employment denied due to unclear equivalency requirements. (Para 3 , 4) |
| 3. arguments for no equivalency requirement from opposing counsel. (Para 5 , 6) |
| 4. court's position on equivalency certificates from central universities. (Para 7 , 8) |
JUDGMENT The petitioner has obtained a Master’s Degree in Agronomy (M.Sc-Agronomy) from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (A Central University), Sree Nagar, Uttarakhand. Initially, this university was established by the Uttar Pradesh State Government under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973. However, by an Act of Parliament i.e., the Central Universities Act 2009, the said university got converted into Central University on 15.01.2009.
2.The petitioner has obtained her Master’s Degree in Agronomy after the said University became the Central University, i.e., in the year 2021.
3.The petitioner has applied for the post of Assistant Professor in the department of Agronomy in the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) in pursuance of the applications invited by the said University for the appointment of Assistant Professor from the eligible candidates. The petitioner was selected for the said post in pursuance of the selection conducted on 12.12.2024. The petitioner approached the University to join the duty, in pursuance to the selection made, and her certificates were verified. However, she was not permitted to join duty as she was directed to produce an equivalency certificate of M.Sc- Agronomy secured from the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (A Central University), Sree Nagar, Uttarakhand.
4.The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has obtained her degree in Agronomy from Central University, and no equivalency certificate for her degree in M.Sc Agronomy is required from a State University.
5.The learned counsel for the ICAR as well as the University Grants Commission (UGC) submit that a degree obtained from a Central University does not require an equivalency certificate from any other University.
6.Heard Mr. Joseph George, the learned counsel for the petitioner, Adv. I, Sheela Devi for the 4th respondent, Mr. S. Krishnamoorthy for the 6th respondent and Adv. M.V Anandan for respondents No.1,2 and 3.
7.A similar view has been taken by this court in respect of the degrees granted by IGNOU, and this court unequivocally has held that no equivalency certificate is required for a degree obtained from the National Institutions, such as like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) or other institutions recognized by UGC.
8.This court in the case of Harisankar S v. State of Kerala [2025 KHC OnLine 637] in paragraphs 5 and 6 would read as under :-
“5. I have considered the submissions advanced by the learned Standing Counsel for the 2nd respondent and the learned Government Pleader but find little substance in these arguments. The IGNOU is a University of National importance established by the Central Government to offer open studies through correspondence for the first time in the University system and also it offers regular courses. The Central University is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and its courses are approved by the UGC. If the courses approved by the UGC offered by a Central University are required to have the equivalence certificate from the State University, it would be the end of the education system.
6. Even the State Government has understood this aspect and, therefore, vide the Government Order; G.O.(Ms) No. 272/2018/HEDN dated 13.11.2018 in Exhibit P-6 it has been clarified that no equivalency/recognition shall be insisted upon for degrees obtained from National Institute like Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Indian Institute of Science (IISs), National Institutes of Tech
