Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana high court has ruled that the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) 2010 regulations do not automatically apply to Panjab University (PU) and require approval from the relevant government for implementation.
A division bench of Justice Anup Chitkara and Justice Ramesh Chandra Dimri made the observation while dismissing a petition filed by Iqbal Singh Sandhu, former principal of PU’s constituent college at Sikhwala in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
Sandhu had sought permission to continue in service until the age of 65, along with all consequential benefits, relying on PU’s decision to adopt the UGC regulations and the scheme extending the retirement age of teaching staff at central universities.
The court observed that Panjab University is neither a central university nor an institution funded by the central government. It described the university as a unique inter-state institution established under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966.
The bench also examined a resolution passed by PU’s Senate to amend Regulation 17.3 to increase the retirement age of teachers. It noted that although prior approval from the Centre was not required for passing the resolution, its implementation remained subject to the final approval of the central government.
The ruling clarifies that the UGC regulations and retirement-age provisions applicable to central universities cannot automatically be extended to Panjab University without the necessary approvals.
