Dr.S.Kuppusamy, v. The Registrar,

ORDER The petitioner challenges the respondent University's communication dated 29.12.2015, whereby the petitioner's promotion from Assistant Professor (Stage 3) to Associate Professor (Stage 4) under the Career Advancement Scheme

(CAS) was notified.

¶2The grievance of the petitioner is that, though he had fulfilled all the eligibility criteria for promotion as on 26.06.2013, the respondent granted him promotion to the post of Associate Professor (Stage 4) only with effect from

31.03.2015, which, according to him, is arbitrary and discriminatory.

¶3Learned counsel for the respondent University, on instructions, submitted that the petitioner was subsequently promoted from Associate Professor (Stage 4) to Professor (Stage 5). It was further submitted that the petitioner has since attained the age of superannuation and has received all consequential promotional benefits.

¶4Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials placed on record. Page3 of 5

¶5The respondent University has filed a counter affidavit, inter alia, setting out the conditions prescribed by the University Grants Commission

(UGC) for promotion from Assistant Professor (Stage 3) to Associate Professor (Stage 4). The relevant conditions are extracted hereunder: "I. An Assistant Professor who completes three years of teaching in Stage 3 shall be eligible, subject to fulfilling the prescribed conditions and the API-based PBAS requirements under these Regulations, to move to the next higher grade (Stage 4) and be designated as Associate Professor. II. Minimum API scores, using the PBAS scoring proforma developed by the concerned University as per the norms provided in Table IIA/IIB of Appendix III. III. At least three publications during the entire period as Assistant Professor (twelve years). In the case of College teachers, an exemption of one publication shall be granted to M.Phil. holders and two publications to Ph.D. holders. IV. One course/programme from among Methodology Workshops, Training, Teaching-Learning-Evaluation Technology Programmes, or Soft Skills Development Programmes of a minimum one-week duration. V. Assessment by the Selection Committee as stipulated in these Regulations and in Tables IIA and IIB of Appendix III." Page4 of 5

¶6Promotion to the post of Associate Professor (Stage 4) is contingent upon fulfillment of all five conditions prescribed by the UGC. In the present case, though the petitioner had satisfied the other requirements earlier, he fulfilled Condition No. III only on 12.01.2015. Consequently, he was granted promotion with effect from 13.01.2015, i.e., immediately upon acquiring full eligibility.

¶7Therefore, in the absence of any illegality or infirmity in granting promotion with effect from 13.01.2015, this Writ Petition is devoid of merits and is liable to be dismissed. Accordingly, the Writ Petition stands dismissed. However,

there

shall

be

order

as

to

costs. 02-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHA The Registrar, University of Madras, Chennai-5. WPoNo.o9408oofo2016 HEMANToCHANDANGOUDARoJ. SHA WPoNo.o9408oofo2016 02-02-2026 Page5oofo5

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 02-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR Dr.S.Kuppusamy ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Registrar, University of Madras, Chennai-5. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Section 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Certiorarified Mandamus, calling for the records relating to the impugned order in official communication No.D1(B)/TE/2015/1246 dated 29.12.2015, on the file of the respondent and quash the same and consequently direct the respondent to award promotion to the petitioner after considering the short term refresher course from 08.03.2010 to 12.03.2010 and award promotion form stage-3 to stage-4 with effect from 26.06.2013. For Petitioner(s): M/s.S.Lingesh For Respondent(s): M/s.D.Ravichander, SGP Page2 of 5