High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeWrit petitions allowed; impugned notifications ...

WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and connected cases

Case / Petition Number:WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y)

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Amit Rawal
Judgment Date
2021-03-31
Court Decision / Holding
Writ petitions allowed; Ext.P1 (27-11-2017), Ext.P2 (25-10-2017) and related amendments giving 100% reservation by treating all departments as one unit are quashed. The University/competent authorities are directed to proceed in accordance with law, ensuring subject-wise cadres and plurality of posts; appointments already made during pendency remain subject to final outcome of the petitions.
Final Disposition
Writ petitions allowed; impugned notifications quashed; appointments to be considered in accordance with law and subject to final outcome of the writ petitions.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Dr. G. Radhakrishna Pillai
  • Society for Social Surveillance
  • Baby Prathap B
  • Akhiljith B
  • Dr. Vishnukuman
  • Dr. T. Vijayalakshmi

Respondents

  • The Chancellor, University of Kerala
  • State of Kerala represented by the Chief Secretary to Government
  • University of Kerala represented by its Registrar
  • The Vice Chancellor, University of Kerala
  • University Grants Commission

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • George Poonthottam (Sr.)
  • • Riji Rajendran
  • • Nisha George
  • • T. V. Ajayakumar
  • • Kum. P. H. Rimju

Counsels for Respondents

  • • K. Jaju Babu (Sr.)
  • • S. Krishnamoorthy (CGC)
  • • K. Jaju Babu (Sr.)
  • • M. U. Vijayalakshmi
  • • Thomas Abraham, SC (University of Kerala)
  • • B. Harish Kumar (GP)
  • • S. Krishnamoorthy (CGC)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This common judgment—delivered by Justice Amit Rawal on 31 March 2021—addresses identical questions of fact and law arising from multiple writ petitions challenging university-level reservations in teaching posts. The core issue is whether the University of Kerala could reserve professorship posts across teaching departments by treating all departments as a single unit, thereby enabling category-wise rotation that, in effect, amounts to 100% reservation for certain communities. The petitions contend that such a unitary approach violates Articles 14, 16(1), 16(4) and 16(4A) of the Constitution and contravenes precedents requiring cadre-specific consideration. The court examines statutory amendments (Kerala University Act, 1974 as amended by Act 26 of 2014), Rules 14-17 of KS & SSR 1958, Rule 15 on reservation by rotation, and UGC Regulations 2010 (and amendments), along with several Indian Supreme Court authorities on reservation in single-post cadres. The court ultimately holds that reservation by treating all departments as one unit for posts such as Professor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor is impermissible in the absence of plurality of posts and would breach constitutional guarantees. The impugned notifications and related amendments are quashed, with directions that appointments already made are subject to the final outcome of the writ petitions.

Provisions of Law Cited

Kerala University Act, 1974 — Section 6(2)Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1958 — Rules 14 (a,b,c), 15, 16, 17Kerala University Act 2014 Amendment (Act No.26 of 2014)University Laws Second Amendment Act 2004 (Exhibit P1)UGC Regulations, 2010 (and amendments)Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Teaching Cadre) Ordinance, 2019Constitution of India: Articles 14, 16(1), 16(4), 16(4A)

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Cadre, Post and Service are distinct and cannot be equated.
  • There cannot be reservation in a single-post cadre, or groupings that effectively reserve all posts across departments.
  • Reservation by rotation in respect of a single post cadre leads to 100% reservation and exclusion of merit.
  • Open competition remains the baseline; cadre-wise plurality is required for meaningful reservation.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners argued that assigning all professorships across different departments to a single unit for reservation violates Articles 14, 16(1), and 16(4) of the Constitution and goes against a line of Supreme Court decisions that disallow reservation in a single-post cadre. They contend that cadre, post and service are distinct; treating department as One Unit creates a 100% reservation in single-post cadre posts, depriving meritorious candidates in the unreserved category of opportunity. They urge quashing Ext.P1 (27-11-2017), Ext.P2 (25-10-2017), Ext.P3 (2014 amendment) and related notifications, and directing reservations to be on a subject-wise basis with proper rotation and plurality of posts.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents argued that amendments to Section 6(2) of the Kerala University Act, 1974, and Rules 14-17 of KS & SSR 1958—together with UGC guidelines and later circulars—permit reservation by treating all departments as a single unit for direct recruitment in the teachers’ cadre. They relied on the amendments (Act 26 of 2014) to justify category-wise reservations, rotation provisions, and the application of 20-1-2- etc. turn allocations, contending that these measures align with constitutional allowances and with UGC expectations for higher education governance.

Cited Precedents (13)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
State of Karnataka and Others v. K. Govindappa and another2009 1 SCC 1Mentioned OnlyCited for background on the permissible scope of reservation; the judgment itself discusses this line of authority without following it as controlling.
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research v. Faculty Association and others (PGIMER case)AIR 1998 SC 1767OverruledThis earlier decision approved reservation by rotation in a single-post cadre but was overruled by a review petition (1749/1997) and subsequent decision.
RR Inamdar Vs. State of Karnataka and others2004 1 SCC 333Mentioned OnlyCited in the context of reservations, but not pressed as controlling authority in the present judgment.
Sathi Vs Cochin University of Science and Technology2000 (2) KLT 871Mentioned OnlyCited to discuss grouping/reservation principles; not adopted as binding in this case.
Indra Sawhney v. Union of India1992 (Supp. 1) SCC 1Mentioned OnlyReferenced for general majority view on reservations, without adopting its specific posture in the single-post cadre context.
Paswan's caseNot specified in the textPositiveCited as authority that there cannot be reservation to a single cadre post, supporting the court's view against unitary reservation.
Chakradhar caseNot specified in the textPositiveApproved the view that there cannot be reservation in a single-post cadre.
Madhav caseNot specified in the textDistinguishedThe court did not approve the reasoning in Madhav case regarding single-post cadre reservation.
Brij Lal Thakur caseNot specified in the textDistinguishedThe court did not approve the reasoning in Brij Lal Thakur case regarding single-post cadre reservation.
Bageshwari Prasad caseNot specified in the textDistinguishedThe court did not approve the reasoning in Bageshwari Prasad case regarding single-post cadre reservation.
University of Cochin v. Dr. N. Raman NairAIR 1974 SC 2319Mentioned OnlyCited but deemed not helpful to support clubbing of isolated cadre posts.
Jose v. Cochin University1993 (2) KLT 347Mentioned OnlyCited in the discussion on clubbing reservations; rejected as a basis for the present arrangement.
P.G. Institute of Medical Education & Research case(AIR 1998 SC 1767)OverruledOverruled by later judgments; cited here for historical context on roster rotation in single-post cadre.

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Extracted Judgment Text

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``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## **`PRESENT`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT RAWAL`** ``` WEDNESDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH 2021 / 10TH CHAITHRA, 1943 ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` DR.G.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI SANTHI BHAVAN, SOORANAD NORTH P.O.KOLLAM ``` ``` BY ADVS. ``` ``` SRI.GEORGE POONTHOTTAM (SR.) SRI.RIJI RAJENDRAN SMT.NISHA GEORGE ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` 1THE STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY,GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 001 ``` ``` 2UNIVERSITY OF KERALA ``` ``` SENATE HOUSE CAMPUS, PALAYAMTHIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695 034REPRESENTED BY THE REGISTRAR ``` ``` R1 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER ``` ``` R1 BY SRI.P.G.PRAMOD, GOVERNMENT PLEADER R2 BY ADV. SRI.THOMAS ABRAHAM, SC, UNIVERSITY OF KERALA ``` ## **`OTHER PRESENT:`** ## **`GP SRI B HARISH KUMAR`** ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 03-03- 2021, ALONG WITH WP(C).1592/2018(Y), WP(C).8334/2018(N), THE COURT ON 31-03-2021 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ## **`WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases`** ``` 2 ``` ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT RAWAL ``` ``` WEDNESDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH 2021 / 10TH CHAITHRA, 1943 ``` ## **`WP(C).No.1592 OF 2018`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** - **`1 SOCIETY FOR SOCIAL SURVEILLANCE REG.NO.KTM/TC/510/2017, KAROTTUVELAMKULAM, KAYYOOR,KOTTAYAM, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY`** - **`2 BABY PRATHAP.B PRABHATH HOUSE, PARAKOD PO, T.B. ROAD, ADOOR 691554`** - **`3 AKHILJITH.B, NIKUNJEM, PADINJATTAKKARA PO,THEVALAKKARA, KOLLAM 690524`** - **`4 DR. T.VISHNUKUMARAN 22/45, UDAYAPPANKUDIRUPPU,THENGAMPUTHOOR PANCHAYATH, MONIKETTI POTTAL PO, KANYAKUMAR DISTRICT, 629501`** ``` BY ADVS. SRI.T.V.AJAYAKUMAR KUM.P.H.RIMJU ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** - **`1 THE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF KERALA RAJ BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695001`** - **`2 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695001`** - **`3 UNIVERSITY OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY ITS REGISTRAR,PALAYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695001`** ``` 4THE VICE CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF KERALA, PALAYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 695034 ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 3 ``` ``` 5UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG,NEW DELHI 110002,REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY ``` ``` R1 BY ADV. SRI.K.JAJU BABU (SR.) R1 BY ADV. SRI.S.KRISHNAMOORTHY CGC R1 BY ADV. SRI.K.JAJU BABU SR. R1 BY ADV. SMT.M.U.VIJAYALAKSHMI COUNSEL FOR THE CHANCELLOR OF UNIVERSITIES IN KERALA R1, R3 BY SRI.THOMAS ABRAHAM, SC, UNIVERSITY OF KERALA R2 GP SRI B HARISH KUMAR R5 BY ADV. SRI.S.KRISHNAMOORTHY, CGC ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 03- 03-2021, ALONG WITH WP(C).4592/2018(Y), WP(C).8334/2018(N), THE COURT ON 31-03-2021 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 4 ``` ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** # **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT RAWAL ``` ``` WEDNESDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF MARCH 2021 / 10TH CHAITHRA, 1943 ``` # **`WP(C).No.8334 OF 2018`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` DR. T. VIJAYALAKSHMI ``` ``` D/O.P.THANGAVEL GOUNDER,AGED 46 YEARS, D21/2, MULLAI ILLAM,SREE CHITRA NAGAR, EDAPAZHANJI, PANGODE,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695006. ``` ``` BY ADVS. ``` ``` SRI.GEORGE POONTHOTTAM (SR.) SMT.NISHA GEORGE ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA ``` ``` REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY,GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001. ``` ``` 2UNIVERSITY OF KERALA ``` ``` SENATE HOUSE CAMPUS,PALAYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 695034,REPRESENTED BY THE REGISTRAR. ``` ``` R1 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER ``` ``` R2 BY ADV. SRI.THOMAS ABRAHAM, SC, UNIVERSITY OF KERALA ``` ``` GP SRI B HARISH KUMAR ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 03- 03-2021, ALONG WITH WP(C).1592/2018(Y), WP(C).4592/2018(Y), THE COURT ON 31-03-2021 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 5 ``` ## **JUDGMENT** ## **Dated this the 31st day of March 2021** (Draft of the judgment is uploaded earlier by mistake. There were some clerical errors. That judgment is removed from the site and this rectified one is uploaded.) Captioned writ petitions involve identical questions of facts and law, therefore, are decided by a common judgment. The question of Law involved is ‘whether reservation in teaching posts in Universities is to be applied by treating the University as a Unit or Department/Subject as a Unit for different levels of teachers, ie. all posts of Professors, Assistant Professors or Associate Professors would be construed as a cadre or solitary post in a particular stream meant for either Professor, Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, which admittedly are not interchangeable”. The facts are being taken from W.P.(C) No.4592/2018. 2. The University of Kerala, the 2[nd] respondent vide Ext.P1, invited applications for the post of Professor in the different Teaching Departments of the University. As per the notification, the post of Professor in Aquatic Biology & Fisheries was reserved for Ezhava/Billva/Thiyya and the post of Professor in Zoology reserved for Muslim. The vacancy specified as one posts in each department were kept reserved for various communities falling under reserved categories. The aforementioned notification was promulgated by ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 6 ``` keeping the reservation on the ground that University by Act No.26 of 2014 caused amendment to Section 6(2)of the Kerala University Act, 1974 by applying the provisions of Clauses (a) (b) and (c) of rule 14 and the provisions of rules 15, 16, 17 and 17A of the Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1958, (hereinafter called KS & SSR) as amended from time to time, by following category-wise communal rotation treating all the departments as “One Unit”. The notifications inviting applications for various posts dated 27.11.2017, dated 20.7.2014 causing amendment to the Kerala University Act and dated 25.10.2017 giving 100% reservation to various posts by treating all the departments as one unit, have been challenged in all writ petitions. 3. Sri.George Poonthottam, learned Counsel assisted by Sri.Navaneeth Krishnan appearing for the petitioner submitted that there is a complete vagueness and violation of Articles 16(1) and 16(4) of the Constitution of India in amending the Act pertaining to reservation, though the State is not prevented from making any provisions for reservation, but considering all the Departments as One Unit would amount to 100% reservation, which is against the mandate of various judgments of Supreme Court. In support of the arguments, the following case law was cited in support of submissions: _**State of Karnataka and Others v. K. Govindappa and another [2009 1 SCC 1], Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education &**_ ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 7 ``` ## _**Research, Chandigarh v. Faculty Association and others rendered in Review**_ _**petition (C) No.1749/1997**_ , whereby the previous judgments in the aforementioned matter reported in _**Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research's case (supra)**_ approving the reservation by rotation in respect of single post was overruled. _**RR Inamdar Vs.State of Karnataka and others in Civil Appeal No1495/2016, State of U.P and others vs. M.C. Chattopadhyaya and others [2004 1 SCC 333]**_ , and in _**Sathi Vs Cochin University of Science and Technology [2000 (2) KLT 871].**_ 4. All the departments, wherever there is a single post, have been clubbed together dis-entitling the meritorious candidates from making application as a result of reservation of single posts, which is impermissible in the light of the judgments cited (supra). Under the University of Kerala there are forty one (41) departments as evident from the annexure attached to notification Ext.P2 amending Section 6 (2). There is only one post of Professor in terms of Chapter 3 of Statue IV of the First Statues. Cadre, Post and Service are distinct. Isolated posts in respect of different disciplines cannot exist as plea of separate cadre, in above quoted case law was negated. Even objection from deemed to be affected employees before causing amendment to Section 6 (2) of 1974 Act, was never sought. Petitioners are disabled to submit their applications owing to erroneous applicability of reservation by applying the ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 8 ``` provisions of Rule 15 of KS & SSR. 5. On the basis of the amendments by way of notification, the University of Kerala amended the aforementioned provisions on the premise of change over to the system of following communal rotation, category wise treating all the department as “One Unit”, stipulating further that reservation procedure shall start afresh and the backlog vacancies, if any, would be dropped. Norms for filling up the teaching posts are most ambiguous and disparaged as the attempt of the University in inviting application by keeping all the subjects of the departments as One Unit does not tantamount to applying reservation by rotation as per the provisions of Rule 15 of the KS & SSR. 6. On the other hand, learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the State supported the legislative amendment under Section 6 (2) of the University Act by referring to Clauses (a) (b) and (c) of Rule 14 dealing with the reservation of appointments by treating the unit of twenty (20) out of which two (2) shall be reserved for SC/ST, eight(8) for other backward classes and remaining ten (10) to be filled on the basis of merit. It is in that background by applying sub rule 3 of rule 14, pertaining to rotation, posts were advertised, in tune with Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India. 7. On the contrary, Sri.Thomas Abraham, learned Counsel appearing for the University, submitted that the University issued notification in the ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 9 ``` month of November, 2017 following the reservation system. In the meantime, the University Grants Commission vide communication dated 19/7/2018, Ext.R2 (a), requested the University to postpone the recruitment process, if it, was already underway. The aforementioned restriction vide letter dated 7.3.2019, Ext.R2 (c) was later on withdrawn, and addressed to all Registrars of the Central Universities, State Universities and deemed Universities, receiving grant-in aid. It was clarified that for the purpose of reservation in direct recruitment in teachers cadre, the University/College/Institution shall be regarded as One Unit. Pursuant to that, notification was issued by the University, notifying (105) vacancies together. Selection process reached various stages, evident from tabulated form containing details of the posts, Ext.R2 (f), of Assistant Professor, Ext.R2 (g) and of Associate Professor, Ext.R2 (h). The selection process in respect of Geology, Tamil, Aquatic Biology & Fisheries, Library and information Science statistics, Botany, mathematics, environmental science, law and Hindi had, on 13.2.2020, already been completed and urged this Court for dismissal of the writ petition. 8. I have heard learned Counsel for the parties and appraised the paper books. 9. In order to answer the question referred above, it would be axiomatic to extract section 6(2) of 1974 Act and Clauses (a), (b), (c) of Rule 14 ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 10 ``` ## of KS & SSR, 1948. ``` 6(2)In making appointments by direct recruitment to posts in any class or category in each department under the University, or to posts of non-teaching staff in the University, the University shall 9 mutatis mutandis observe the provisions of clauses (a), (b) and (c) of rule 14 and rules 15 to 16 and 17 of the Kerala State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1958, as amended from time to time. ``` _**“14. Reservation of appointments.-** [Where the Special Rules lay down that the principle of reservation of appointments shall apply to any service, class or category, or where in the case of any service, class or category for which no Special Rules have been issued, the Government have by notification in the Gazette declared that the principle of reservation of appointments shall apply to such service, class or category, appointments by direct recruitment to such service, class or category shall be made on the following basis:-]_ _(a) The unit of appointment for the purpose of this rule shall be 20, of which 2 shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and 8 shall be reserved for the Other Backward Classes and the remaining 10 shall be filled on the basis of merit:_ _[Provided that out of every five posts reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, one shall go to Scheduled Tribe candidate and the remaining four shall go to Scheduled Caste candidates and in the absence of a candidate to fill up the post reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates, it shall go to a Scheduled Caste candidates and vice versa]_ _(b) The claims of members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes shall also be considered for the appointments which shall be filled on the basis of merit and where a candidate belonging to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class is selected on the basis of merit, the number of posts reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes or for Other Backward Classes as the case may be, shall not in any way be affected._ _(c) Appointments under this rule shall be made in the order of rotation specified below in every cycle of 20 vacancies._ _1. Open competition_ _2. Other Backward Classes_ _3. Open competition_ _4. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes_ _5. Open competition_ _6. Other Backward Classes_ _7. Open competition_ _8. Other Backward Classes_ _9. Open competition_ _10. Other Backward Classes_ _11. Open competition_ ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 11 ``` _12. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes_ _13. Open competition_ _14. Other Backward Classes_ _15. Open competition_ _16. Other Backward Classes_ _17. Open competition_ _18. Other Backward Classes_ _19. Open competition_ _20. Other Backward Classes: “_ 10. There is no dispute to the proposition that reservation in respect of a post of a Professor and the provisions of the reservation provided in the rules (ibid) would apply, but the same cannot be applied taking all Professor as a “Cadre”. In fact, it has to be made “Subject Wise” otherwise, it would create an anomalous situation by treating all Professors of different subjects as One Cadre. It would take away the right of consideration/reasonable opportunity to meritorious candidates belonging to general category for appointment. Acknowledgement of reservation by rotation in respect of a single post though was earlier approved by the Supreme Court in _**Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research's case (supra)**_ , but was,, subsequently, overruled in a review petition 1749/1997 reported as 1998 (4) SCC 1, wherein Paragraph 34, 35, 36 & 37 observed as under: _34.In a single post cadre, reservation at any point of time on account of rotation of roster is bound to bring about a situation where such single post in the cadre will be kept reserved exclusively for the members of the backward classes and in total exclusion of the general embers of the public._ ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 12 ``` _Such total exclusion of general members of the public and cent percent reservation for the backward classes is not permissible within the constitutional frame work. The decisions of this Court to this effect over the decades have been consistent._ _35.Hence, until there is plurality of posts in a cadre, the question of reservation will not arise because any attempt of reservation by whatever means and even with the devise of rotation of roster in a single post cadre is bound to create 100% reservation of such post whenever such reservation is to be implemented. The device of rotation of roster in respect of single post cadre will only mean that on some occasions there will be complete reservation and the appointment to such post is kept out of bounds to the members of a large segment of the community who do not belong to any reserved class, but on some other occasions the post will be available for open competition when in fact on all such occasions, a single post cadre should have been filled only by open competition amongst all segments of the society._ _36. Mr.Kapil Sbal has contended that in some higher echelons of service in educational and technical institutions where special expertise is necessary to hold superior posts like Professors and Readers, there should not be reservation even if there is plurality of posts in such cadre as indicated in the majority view in Indra Sawhney case. It is, however, not necessary for us to decide the said contention for the purpose of disposal of these matters, where the question of reservation in single cadre post calls for decision._ _37. We, therefore, approve the view taken in Chakradhar case that there cannot be any reservation in a single post cadre and we do not approve the reasonings in Madhav case. Brij Lal Thakur case and Bageshwari Prasad case upholding reservation in a single post cadre either directly or by device of rotation of roster point. Accordingly, the impugned decision in the case of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research cannot also be sustained. The review petition made in Civil Appeal No.3175 of 1997 in the case of Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh, is therefore allowed and the judgment dated 2-5-1997 passed in Civil Appeal No. 3175 of 1997 is set aside.”_ 11. On a cumulative reading of the paragraphs, aforementioned, it is crystal clear that a single post cadre reservation at any point of time on account of rotation of roster would definitely bring a situation where such a single post in the cadre will be kept reserved exclusively for the members of backward ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 13 ``` classes, in total exclusion to the general members of the public, which is not the import of provisions of Article 16 (4) and (4A) of the Constitution of India. I may falter if do not display the contents of impugned the notification Ext.P1 in W.P.(C).4592/2018, applying the principles of rotation. The same read thus: _Applications are invited from qualified candidates for appointment to the post of Professor in the following Teaching Department of the University in the scale of pay of Rs.37300-67000/- with AGP of Rs.10,000/- (Pre revised)_ _“Appointment to the posts will be made in accordance with Section (6) Sub Section (2) of Chapter II of the Kerala University Act, 1974, UGC Regulations 2010 and amendments made thereon._ _The turn of appointment as per the principles or rotation is given against each post._ |_post._|||| |---|---|---|---| |_Sl.No._|_Department_|_No.of_|_Turn_| |||_vacanc-_|| |||_ies_|| |_1_|_Department of Aquatic Biology &_|_1_|_Ezhava/Billava/Thiyya_| ||_Fisheries_||| ||_******_||| |_4_|_Department of Biochemistry_|_1_|_Muslim_| ||_*****_||| ||_*****_||| |_26_|_Department of Tamil_|_1_|_Blindness or low vision_| |_27_|_Department of Zoology_|_1_|_Muslim_| ||||| 12. On a joint reading of notifications caused by the University as well as few provisions of Rule 14 of the KSSR treating the department as “One Unit”, in my view, do not achieve the purpose of giving representation to all classes, ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 14 ``` without causing any discrimination. In **Govindappa'** s case (supra) a general candidate was appointed as Lecturer in a private aided college, but the State did not approve the appointment on the ground, that it was made in violation of the Rules relating to the reservation. The decision of the Government taking all the posts of Professors as a cadre was negated by the High Court of Karnataka, by holding that the post belonging to particular subject was required to be treated as a separate cadre. The expression 'Cadre, Post and Service' cannot be equated with each other, but at the same time, single and isolated course in respect of a different discipline cannot exist as a separate cadre as per the submission of the Government, which is not acceptable. Once there is no scope of interchangeability of posts in different disciplines, each post in particular discipline has to be treated as a single post. The notification inviting application tantamount to 100% reservation of posts in various disciplines, which are not interchangeable. This Court in **Sathi** 's case (supra) in paragraph 6 and 7 held as under. “6. Of course, the University would contend for the position that the post of Technical Officer cannot be treated as a single cadre post and that there can be reservation by means of grouping together. We do not find any substance in the aforesaid contention raised by the University. In Paswan's case noted supra the Supreme Court while holding that there cannot be any reservation to a single cadre post thereby creating a monopoly of a particular category considered the question whether the posts carried on different grades can be clubbed together for purposes of reservation merely because they are Class I posts. The court ruled that there can be no grouping of one or more isolated posts for purposes of ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 15 ``` reservation even if they are carried on the same scale. The Constitution Bench decision in P.G. Institute of Medical Science case (AIR 1998 SC 1767) noted supra, though the Supreme Court noticed the contention of the learned Solicitor General based on the Office Memorandum No. 36012/2/96-Estt (Rs) issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension Cell which inter-alia provides for clubbing together, finally came to the conclusion that until there is plurality of posts in a cadre the question of reservation will not arise because any attempt of reservation by whatever means and even with the device of Rotation of Roster in a single cadre post is bound to create 100% reservation of such post whenever such reservation is to be implemented. 7. The reliance placed by the University on the decision reported in University of Cochin v. Dr. N. Raman Nair (AIR 1974 SC 2319) is thoroughly misplaced as it is of no help to come to a conclusion that reservation by means of clubbing together of isolated cadre post is permissible. What was considered in that case was whether exclusion of the category of Professors from the operation of Rr.14 to 17 of K.S.& S.S.R. was legal or not. The Syndicate of the University passed a resolution dated 17.7.1972 laying down that the principles of reservation for appointment should be applied to posts in a service or class or category collectively and not separately. However, the same resolution placed appointments to the post of Professor outside the reservation and rotation rules altogether. This court quashed the resolution dated 17.7.1972 against which the University filed an appeal which came to be dismissed by the Supreme Court. While dismissing the appeal certain passing observations were made to the effect that the University may treat all teaching posts as belonging to one class for the application of the Rules or it may treat only posts of Readers in all subjects or in a particular subject as a category by itself for the application of the rules. In our considered opinion this passing observations cannot be understood as laying down any dictum. That apart, no ratio is contained in the aforesaid decision to the effect that there can be reservation by means of clubbing together of isolated cadre posts. The reliance placed by the University on the decision reported in Jose v. Cochin University (1993(2) KLT 347) is also of no assistance for the reason that clubbing attempted in the present case is that of different and distinct cadres carrying different scales of pay, whereas in the above cited decision what is ultimately found is that clubbing of posts of lecturers of all departments in one unit and readers of all departments into one unit for the purpose of applying Rules of Reservation. Accordingly, we reject the submission based on the aforesaid decision.” On a perusal of the ratio culled out above, the attempt of clubbing, as noticed from notification dated 27.11.2017, extracted (supra) is not of a ``` 16 ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` different and distinct cadre, carrying different scales of pay, but in fact for All posts Professors, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors of all the departments as One Unit, thus it would bound to create 100% reservation of such posts. Accordingly, the writ petitions are allowed. Notification dated 27.11.2017, dated 20.7.2014 causing amendment to the Kerala University Act and dated 25.10.2017 giving 100% reservation to various posts by treating all the departments as one unit, are quashed. The appointments of the selected candidates during the pendency of the writ petitions would always be subject of the outcome of the writ petitions. In view of the above observation, the University/Competent authority would take appropriate steps, in accordance with law. **S** **`d/-`** jm **AMIT RAWAL JUDGE** ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 17 ``` ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 4592/2018`** ## **`PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS:`** ``` EXHIBITP1TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO.AD.H/30652/2017/3 DATED 27-11-2017 ISSUED BY THE UNVIERSITY EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.AD.H./30651/2017 DATED 25-10-2017 PASSED BY THE UNIVERSITY ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE COPY OF THE ACT 26 OF 2014 ISSUED ON 20-07-2014 BY THE GOVERNMENT EXHIBIT P4TRUE COPY OF THE BIO-DATA OF THE PETITIONER WITH COVERING LETTER ISSUED ON 20-07-2014 BY THE GOVERNMENT ``` - **`EXHIBIT P5 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.AD.H/30652/2017/3/AQB AND F DATED 16.01.2020`** ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 1592/2018`** ``` PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS: ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE COPY OF THE UNIVERSITY LAWS SECOND AMENDMENT ACT 2004 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE UNIVERSITY LAWS AMENDMENT BILL 2014 ALONG WITH THE STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS SHOWN THERIN EXHIBIT P3TRUE COPY OF THE SECTION 6(2) OF THE KERALA UNIVERSITY ACT 1974 EXHIBIT P3 ATRUE COPY OF THE SECTION 6(2) OF THE CALICUT UNIVERSITY ACT 1975 EXHIBIT P3 BTRUE COPY OF THE SECTION 78 OF THE MAHATMA GANDHI UNIVERSITY ACT 1985 EXHIBIT P3 CTRUE COPY OF THE SECTION 32 OF THE SREE SANKARACHARYA UNIVERSITY ACT 1994 ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 18 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 DTRUE COPY OF THE SECTION 4(3) OF THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF ADVANCED LEGAL STUDIES ACT 2005 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3 ETRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT EXTRACT OF THE SECTION 7 (2) OF THE COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ACT 1986 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO. AD.H/30651/2017 DATED 25.10.2017 ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF KERALA ``` ``` EXHIBIT P5TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 27.11.2017 ISSUED BY THE REGISTRAR OF THE KERALA UNIVERSITY ``` ``` EXHIBIT P6TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 27.11.2017 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT ``` ``` EXHIBIT P7TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 27.11.2017 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT ``` ``` EXHIBIT P8TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 17.06.2011 ISSUED BY THE KERALA UNIVERSITY ``` ``` EXHIBIT P9TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION DATED 17.09.2012 ISSUED BY THE KERALA UNIVERSITY EXHIBIT P10TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM DATED NIL SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER BEFORE HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR OF KERALA ``` - **`EXHIBIT P11 TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM SENT BY THE 1ST PETITIONER TO THE VICE CHANCELLOR, THE SYNDICATE AND THE REGISTRAR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KERALA BY E MAIL`** - **`EXHIBIT P12 TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM DATED 15.12.2017 SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER TO THE HON'BLE MINISTER FOR EDUCATION`** ``` EXHIBIT P13TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM DATED 04.01.2018 SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY ``` ``` EXHIBIT P14TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM DATED 04.01.2018 SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 19 ``` ``` TO THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY TO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION ``` ``` EXHIBIT P15TRUE COPY OF THE MEMORANDUM DATED 04.01.2018 SUBMITTED BY THE 1ST PETITIONER TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE UGC NEW DELHI ``` ``` EXHIBIT P16TRUE COPY OF THE RELEVANT EXTRACT OF THE REPORT PUBLISHED IN INDIAN EXPRESS DAILY DATED 23.10.2017 ``` ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 8334/2018`** ``` PETITIONER'S/S EXHIBITS: ``` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE COPY OF THE BIO-DATA OF THE PETITIONER. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO.AD.H/30652/2017/3 DATED 27.11.2017 ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATION NO.AD.H/30652/2017/2 DATED 27.11.2017 ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY. ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER NO.AD.H./30651/2017 DATED 25.10.2017 PASSED BY THE UNIVERSITY. EXHIBIT P5TRUE COPY OF THE ACT 26 OF 2014 ISSUED ON 20.07.2014 BY THE GOVERNMENT. EXHIBIT P6TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR NO.F.1- 5/2006(SCT)DATED 05.03.2018 ISSUED BY THE UGC. RESPONDENT'S/S EXHIBITS: ``` ``` EXHIBIT R2 ATHE TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.F-1- 5/2006(SCT) DATED 19/7/2018 SENT BY THE UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION EXHIBIT R2 BTHE TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.1-7/2017-CU- V(PT) DATED 18/7/2018 OF THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ``` ``` WP(C).No.4592 OF 2018(Y) and other conctd cases ``` ``` 20 ``` ``` EXHIBIT R2 CTHE TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 7/3/2019 ISSUED BY THE UGC ``` ``` EXHIBIT R2 DTHE TRUE COPY OF THE GAZETTE NOTIFICATION DATED 7/3/2019 OF THE CENTRAL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (RESERVATION IN TEACHERS' CADRE) ORDINANCE, 2019 ``` - **`EXHIBIT R2 E THE TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER F.1-5/2006(SCT) DATED 8/3/2019 ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION`** - **`EXHIBIT R2 F THE TRUE COPY OF THE TABULATED FORM CONTAINING THE DETAILS OF THE POSTS NOTIFIED IN 2017 FOR SELECTION OF ASSISTANT PROFESSORS`** - **`EXHIBIT R2 G THE TRUE COPY OF THE TABULATED FORM CONTAINING THE DETAILS OF THE POSTS NOTIFIED IN 2017 FOR SELECTION OF ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS.`** - **`EXHIBIT R2 H THE TRUE COPY OF THE TABULATED FORM CONTAINING THE DETAILS OF THE POSTS NOTIFIED IN 2017 FOR SELECTION OF PROFESSORS.`** - **`EXHIBIT R2 I THE TRUE COPY OF THE TABULATED FORM CONTAINING THE DETAILS OF THE POSTS NOTIFIED IN 2018 AND 2019 FOR SELECTION OF ASSISTANT PROFESSORS, ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS AND PROFESSORS.`**