Tue May 27 03:14:08 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The Kerala High Court adjourned until May 27th, 2025, the hearing of appeals filed by the Chancellor challenging a single judge’s verdict. The initial verdict deemed unsustainable the appointments of K. Sivaprasad as Professor at CUSAT and Ciza Thomas as temporary Vice-Chancellors of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology. The single judge’s verdict was based on writ petitions filed by the State government arguing that the Chancellor’s power to appoint Vice-Chancellors must adhere to UGC regulations, even for temporary appointments.
**News Article:**
**Kerala High Court Adjourns Hearing on Vice-Chancellor Appointments**
**KOCHI, INDIA – May 27, 2025** – The Kerala High Court has adjourned the hearing on appeals filed by the Chancellor concerning the appointments of K. Sivaprasad and Ciza Thomas to key academic positions. The appeals challenge a previous single judge’s ruling that deemed the appointments of Sivaprasad as Professor of Ship Technology at CUSAT, and Thomas as temporary Vice-Chancellors of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, as unsustainable.
The adjournment, scheduled for May 27th, 2025, follows writ petitions filed by the State government. These petitions argue that the Chancellor’s authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors, even on a temporary basis, must align with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations. While the UGC regulations don’t explicitly address temporary Vice-Chancellor appointments pending the selection of a permanent candidate, the State government contends that any such appointment must still adhere to UGC guidelines. The case raises questions regarding the interpretation and application of UGC regulations in the appointment of academic leadership within the state.
First Piper 