A candidate who participates in a recruitment process with full knowledge of the evaluation criteria is estopped from challenging said criteria upon failure; furthermore, a 'preferable' qualification in a notification cannot be judicially elevated to a 'mandatory' condition precedent for eligibility.

COMMON JUDGMENT

Since the issues that arise in the above writ appeals are integrally one and the same, the writ appeals are being disposed of by this Common Judgment.

2. These two writ appeals arise out of a common order dated 02.12.2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P.Nos.13507 of 2021 and 13420 of 2021. By the said common order, both the writ petitions were allowed directing the appellant-University to appoint the respondents (writ petitioners) as Assistant Professors in the faculty of Fishery Science, with notional seniority on par with the private respondents i.e., respondent No.3 in each appeal, while permitting the private respondents to continue in service.

3. Heard Sri M.Surender Rao, learned Senior Counsel appearing for Sri A.Venkataramana, learned counsel for the appellant; Sri V.Ramesh Babu, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.1 in both the matters (writ petitioners in W.P.Nos.13420 and 13507 of 2021 respectively) and Sri G.L.Narasimham, learned counsel representing Dr. K.Shankara Narayana, learned counsel for respondent No.3 in both the matters and perused the record.

Factual matrix (in brief)

4. The appellant-University issued Advertisement No.01/RC/2020 dated 17.08.2020 inviting applications for various teaching posts, including seven posts of Assistant Professors in different disciplines of Fishery Science. The present controversy is confined to two posts, namely:

i) Assistant Professor in Fisheries Resource Management (FRM) – one post under Open Category (OC);

ii) Assistant Professor in Aquatic Environment Management (AEM) – one post under Open Category (OC).

5. The essential qualifications prescribed for the post of Assistant Professor were:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in Fishery Science.

2. Good academic record with M.F.Sc. degree with at least 70% marks or an equivalent grade in a ten point scale, wherever grading system is followed, at the Master's Degree level in the concerned subject from an Indian University or an equivalent degree from an accredited foreign university

3. Minimum marks required in PG degree would be 65% or equivalent grade for SC/ST/Differently-abled (VH/HH/OH differently-abled) candidates

4. A pass in the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the ICAR/UGC/CSIR or similar test accredited by the UGC like SLET/SEF

5. NET is not required in case of the candidates possessing PhD that is acquired both by course work and research.

6. Knowledge of Telugu language is preferable.

6. The selection process was governed by G.O.Ms.No.15 dated 29.06.2019 issued by the Government of Telangana, adopting the UGC Revised Pay Scales, 2016. In terms thereof, no written examination was prescribed. The assessment of candidates was on a 100-point scale, comprising 80 marks for academic performance based on self-assessment as per Table 3A of the said G.O., taking into account graduation, post-graduation, Ph.D., NET, research publications, and teaching experience and 20 marks for interview, bifurcated into 10 marks for oral interview and 10 marks for teaching skills.

7. In response to the notification, 15 applications were received for the FRM post, out of which 14 candidates were found eligible and called for interview. For the AEM post, 12 applications were received, of which 9 candidates were found eli