Supreme Court urges Kerala Governor and State to end tussle and appoint regular Vice-Chancellors for two key universities. Says, “Why should students suffer in this type of litigation?”
New Delhi: On July 28, the Supreme Court asked the Kerala government and the Governor to work together and appoint regular Vice-Chancellors (VCs) for two major universities in the state — APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology (Digital University).
A Bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan made it clear that the matter should not become a power struggle between different authorities. The judges highlighted that such disputes must not come at the cost of students’ academic futures.
The Supreme Court allowed the Kerala Governor, who is also the ex-officio Chancellor of the universities, to extend the current temporary Vice-Chancellors’ terms or appoint new interim VCs until full-time appointments are made.
The Court said:
“Ultimately, it’s not a matter as to who would exercise powers; it’s to do with education of students. Why should students suffer in this type of litigation? While keeping the matter pending, we request ld. AG and ld. counsel appearing for the State to work out the necessary mechanism for the appointment of a regular Vice Chancellor at the earliest. It shall be open for the Chancellor to issue fresh notification for continuing with present Vice Chancellors…till a regular Vice Chancellor in both universities is appointed. Let the process start at the earliest.”
This issue began when the Kerala Governor issued two separate notifications on November 27, 2024.
Through these notifications, Dr. K Sivaprasad was appointed as temporary Vice-Chancellor of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, and Dr. Ciza Thomas was appointed as temporary Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology.
These appointments, however, became controversial and were challenged in court.
On May 19, 2025, a single-judge Bench of the Kerala High Court ruled that these appointments were invalid. However, the High Court allowed both appointees to continue in their roles until May 27, 2025, to prevent disruption in university administration.
Later, a Division Bench of the High Court dismissed the writ appeals against this order, prompting the Governor to file a petition in the Supreme Court.
Appearing for the Chancellor in the apex court, Attorney General R Venkataramani submitted that disputes between the Governor and the State over appointing temporary Vice-Chancellors have become a repeated issue.
He stated that the deadlock in appointing regular Vice-Chancellors has led to these temporary postings, which were made only to ensure that the universities keep functioning smoothly.
Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, representing the Kerala government, informed the Supreme Court that even the High Court had directed the appointment of regular Vice-Chancellors.
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He further said that a similar appointment of a temporary Vice-Chancellor had been quashed earlier by the High Court on the same grounds.
After listening to both sides, Justice JB Pardiwala made a strong appeal to focus on students’ interests and said:
“For students’ sake, resolve this. All that is important is: appoint the right person.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of the lawyers on both sides to help reach a solution and emphasized their role in ending the conflict:
“Mr. Gupta, you have a crucial role. Mr. Attorney and you can sort it out. We are only concerned with students.”
The Supreme Court has listed the matter for further hearing on August 13, 2025. Until then, the Court expects both the Governor and the State to take steps together to begin the process of appointing permanent Vice-Chancellors in the best interest of the students and the future of the two universities.
Case Title:
The Chancellor, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University v. State of Kerala & Ors.
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