C O M M O N J U D G M E N T

[Judgment of the Court was delivered by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.]

The Writ Appeals on hand have been instituted challenging the writ orders for grant of promotion to the post of Section Officers by validating M.A open University degrees granted by the University. The issue raised in these writ appeals is whether M.A degree obtained through open university without undergoing the regular pattern of education i.e., 10+2+3+2 is a valid degree or not for the purpose of public appointment/promotion.

2. The issues relating to the validity of the open University degree obtained without undergoing the regular pattern of education recognised by UGC is no more res integra. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in the context of UGC regulations held that such degrees granted by the Universities without undergoing the regular pattern of education are invalid. The State Governments across the Country have implemented the Supreme Court order by invalidating the open University degrees obtained from various Universities without undergoing the regular pattern of education or without completing the three years course for public employment.

3. Mr.R.Neelakandan, learned Additional Advo