Punjab and Haryana HC cancels Haryana assistant professor recruitment process

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has cancelled the recruitment process for 613 assistant professor posts in Haryana. The court also cancelled the advertisement issued by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) in 2024 and directed the state government to begin the recruitment process again with a fresh advertisement.

The decision came after several candidates challenged the recruitment process in court. These candidates had applied for assistant professor posts in English. They had cleared the screening test but failed in the subject knowledge test held on August 17, 2025. The candidates argued that the entire recruitment process violated the rules laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The case was heard by Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya. The court examined whether the selection process followed the UGC Regulations of 2018, which are considered mandatory for appointments in higher education institutions across the country.

The petitioners told the court that HPSC had changed the selection rules and created its own system instead of following UGC regulations. According to them, the commission prepared the shortlisting and selection process on the basis of a Haryana government memorandum, which was different from the UGC guidelines.

The candidates argued that the UGC rules clearly explain how assistant professors should be selected. Under these rules, candidates must first be shortlisted based on their academic achievements. These include marks in graduation and post-graduation, research work, MPhil and PhD qualifications, NET qualification, teaching experience, research publications, and academic awards.

However, the Haryana recruitment process followed a different pattern. HPSC conducted a screening test first, followed by a subject knowledge test and interview. Final merit was prepared on the basis of marks obtained in these tests and interview rounds.

The petitioners claimed that this process ignored the academic scoring system required under UGC norms. They argued that the state government and HPSC could not change the rules laid down by the central education regulator.

After hearing both sides, the high court agreed with the petitioners.

The court observed that the recruitment process adopted by HPSC was not in line with the 2018 UGC Regulations. Justice Dahiya said the UGC regulations clearly require shortlisting based on academic scores and not through separate written examinations alone.

The bench also said the regulations are binding in nature and must be followed completely by states and universities without any changes, additions or deletions.

The court stressed that maintaining uniform standards in higher education is important across the country. It said states cannot create separate rules that go against UGC regulations.

Court orders fresh recruitment process

While delivering its judgment, the court explained the constitutional position behind the decision. It said that UGC regulations derive legal authority from Entry 66 of List 1 of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with coordination and determination of standards in higher education.

The court further noted that education falls under the Concurrent List, meaning both the Centre and states can make laws on the subject. However, if there is any conflict between central regulations and state rules, the central law will prevail under Article 254 of the Constitution.

Based on this principle, the bench declared the Haryana government memorandum unlawful to the extent that it violated the 2018 UGC Regulations.

The court then cancelled the recruitment advertisement and ordered the Haryana government to start a fresh recruitment process in accordance with UGC norms.

The ruling is significant because it affects hundreds of candidates who had participated in the recruitment drive. Many candidates had spent months preparing for the screening and subject knowledge tests conducted by HPSC. Now, the entire process will have to begin again.

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The judgment is also expected to influence future recruitment procedures in Haryana universities and colleges. The state government and HPSC may now need to redesign their recruitment policies to ensure full compliance with UGC regulations.

Legal experts say the ruling reinforces the authority of the UGC in maintaining standards in higher education. They believe the judgment sends a strong message that state governments cannot dilute or alter central academic regulations while making appointments in colleges and universities.

Candidates who challenged the process welcomed the decision. Many said the recruitment system should remain transparent and fair for all applicants. They argued that academic achievements and research work should be given proper importance during faculty recruitment.

At the same time, the decision may create delays in filling vacant teaching posts in Haryana colleges. Educational institutions in the state have already been facing shortages of faculty members in several subjects. With the recruitment process cancelled, new appointments may take more time.

The Haryana government has not yet announced its next step after the judgment. It remains unclear whether the state will challenge the order in a higher court or immediately begin a fresh recruitment exercise.

The HPSC had advertised the 613 assistant professor posts in 2024 for different government colleges in Haryana. The recruitment attracted a large number of applicants from across the state and outside.

For now, the high court’s decision has brought the entire selection process to a halt. Fresh recruitment will now have to follow the academic scoring system prescribed under the UGC Regulations of 2018.