Photo Source: ANI
Supreme Court cancels recruitment of 1,158 Assistant Professors in Punjab Government Colleges
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, July 14, 2025: In a major setback to the Punjab Government, the Supreme Court of India has annulled the recruitment process of 1,158 Assistant Professors in government colleges across the state. The recruitment drive, which began in 2021, had been mired in legal challenges and controversies since its inception. The Punjab Government had issued an advertisement in 2021 for the recruitment of Assistant Professors.
However, the process drew criticism due to a rule that awarded five additional marks only to part-time, guest faculty, and contractual staff working specifically in government colleges. Faculty working in government-aided or private colleges were excluded from this benefit.
This rule was challenged in the Punjab and Haryana High Court by several petitioners, who alleged that the criteria were discriminatory and unfair.
In 2022, a single bench of the High Court quashed the recruitment, citing violations of fairness and equality. However, a division bench of the same court overturned that decision, giving a green signal to the recruitment process.
Subsequently, multiple petitioners appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking a final judgment on the matter.
Delivering its verdict today, the Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s division bench decision and cancelled the entire recruitment process of 1,158 Assistant Professors.
The apex court held that the recruitment rules were indeed discriminatory and that the selection process failed to maintain principles of fairness and equal opportunity.