Wed Jul 02 16:29:57 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Telangana High Court Halts University of Hyderabad Sanskrit Professor Appointment Amid Eligibility Dispute**
Hyderabad, July 2, 2025 – The Telangana High Court has intervened in the appointment process for an Associate Professor in Sanskrit Studies at the University of Hyderabad, instructing both the university and the state government to refrain from finalizing the appointment for a Scheduled Caste candidate until a writ petition is adjudicated.
Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao issued the directive following a plea filed by R. Nagaraju, an assistant professor at A.V. College. Nagaraju’s application for the position was rejected, with the university citing that his area of specialization did not align with the requirements.
Nagaraju’s counsel argued that his client possesses the essential qualifications, including a master’s degree with at least 55% marks, a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, and over eight years of teaching and research experience. He challenged the university’s rejection, pointing out that the advertised requirements for the position primarily emphasized a master’s degree and Ph.D. in an allied discipline, which, according to the counsel, encompassed Sanskrit.
The dispute centers on the interpretation of “desirable qualifications” listed in the university’s brochure. While the brochure mentions a postgraduate degree in Ayurveda with specialization in Samhita Siddhanta as desirable, Nagaraju’s counsel argued that it was not an essential qualification for the position.
The university initially declined to provide detailed reasons for the rejection, citing that the recruitment process was ongoing.
Justice Rao has issued notices to the University of Hyderabad authorities and the Telangana State government, seeking their response to the petition. The matter is adjourned until July 17th.
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