University Grants Commission v. Rambir & Ors

order as to costs.

¶34The University is directed to ensure compliance of the directions issued by the learned Single Judge in the judgment dated 29.11.2024 with expedition, say within a period of six weeks from the date a certified copy of this order is furnished to the competent authority of the University.

DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ

TEJAS KARIA, J AUGUST 14, 2026 N.Khanna

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + Date of Decision:14.08.2026 # CNR No. DLHC011089462025 + LPA 22/2026 & CM APPL. 3384-85/2026 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY .....Appellant Through: Mr. Sukrit Seth, Mr. Karan Prakash and Ms. Deepshikha, Advs. versus RAMBIR & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Suyash Srivastava, Mr. Manish Pandey, Advs. Mr. Rohan Jaitley, CGSC with Mr. Akshay Sharma, Mr. Dev Pratap Shahi, Mr. Varun Pratap Singh, Mr. Yogya Bhatia, Advs. for UOI. # CNR No. DLHC010183052026 + LPA 324/2026 & CM APPL. 28365/2026, CM APPL. 28368/2026 UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION .....Appellant Through: Mr. Chetan Sharma, ASG with Mr. Parmanand Gaur, Mr. Vibhav Mishra, Mr. Amit Gupta, Mr. R.V. Prabhat, Mr. Shubham Sharma and Mr. Naman, Advs. versus RAMBIR & ORS. ....Respondents Through: Mr. Suyash Srivastava, Mr. Manish Pandey, Advs. Mr. Sukrit Seth, Mr. Karan Prakash and Ms. Deepshikha, Advs. for R-2. CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ. (ORAL) CM APPL. No. 3383/2026 in LPA No. 22/2026 CM APPL. No. CM APPL. 28366/2026 in LPA No. 324/2026 1. The present applications have been filed seeking condonation of delay in filing the appeal. For the reasons stated in the application the delay in filing the appeal is condoned. The applications stand disposed of. LPA 22/2026 & CM APPL. 3384-85/2026 LPA 324/2026 & CM APPL. 28365/2026, CM APPL. 28368/2026 2. University Grants Commission (hereinafter referred to as "UGC") and Jawaharlal Nehru University (hereinafter referred to as "JNU") are in appeal before us challenging the judgment dated 29.11.2024 whereby W.P.(C) 9521/2019 instituted by the respondent/ Rambir has been allowed and the JNU has been directed to convene a Departmental Promotion Committee (hereinafter referred to as "DPC") to consider the respondent for promotion to the post of Assistant Librarian subject to him meeting the requisite criteria. The learned Single Judge has further directed that, in case, the respondent is recommended for promotion to the said post, he shall be promoted with all consequential benefits. 3. The respondent was appointed on the post of Professional Assistant with the JNU on 10.09.2010. Thereafter, on completion of a period of 5 years on the said post, he claimed his promotion to the post of Assistant Librarian. The DPC for making promotion against two posts of Assistant Librarian was held on 14.09.2017 out of which, one vacancy was for unreserved category and the other was reserved for SC category. 4. The respondent belongs to the category of Scheduled Caste. On the basis of the recommendation made by the DPC held on 14.09.2017, one vacancy from amongst the unreserved category candidates was filled whereas the vacancy in the reserved category of scheduled caste remained unfilled as according to the University the respondent was not eligible. The respondent filed W.P.(C) No. 705/2018 seeking a direction to consider him for promotion which was disposed of by means of an order dated 24.01.2018 with a direction to the respondent to represent his case with a further direction to the University to decide the same by passing a speaking order. 5. Pursuant to the said order dated 24.01.2018 passed by this Court in W.P.(C) No. 705/2018, the representation of the respondent was considered which, however, was rejected on the ground that the respondent did not possess the required M.A. Degree. The respondent, thereafter, made another application on 14.03.2019 after acquiring the M.A. Degree and prayed that he be considered for promotion as he had not only acquired the M.A. Degree but was also, at the relevant point of time, at serial No. 1 of the seniority list of the incumbents holding the post of Professional Assistant. 6. Since the claim of the respondent was not being considered for promotion to the post of Assistant Librarian, he instituted W.P. (C) No. 6024/2019 which was finally disposed of by this Court vide order dated 27.05.2019 with a directio