In a significant ruling, the Madras High Court has declared that a one-year Master of Laws (LLM) degree, recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), is valid for appointments in public departments and universities. The Court directed the Teachers Recruitment Board (TRB) to include the petitioner, Dr. Sangeetha Sriraam, in the selection list for the post of Assistant Professor in Human Rights, acknowledging her academic credentials and performance.
PETITIONER DENIED DESPITE HIGH MARKS
The petitioner had applied for the Assistant Professor position following a TRB notification and secured an impressive 133 out of 175 marks in the written examination. She also attended the interview as per the Board’s instructions. However, when the provisional selection list was released, her name was missing, while candidates with lower marks had been shortlisted.
This prompted Dr. Sangeetha to challenge the selection process, alleging arbitrary disqualification based on her one-year LLM degree.
STATE’S ARGUMENT DISMISSED BY THE COURT
The State argued that only candidates with a two-year LLM degree were eligible. However, Justice R.N. Manjula, who presided over the case, emphasized that the job notification did not specify such a requirement. The Court held that introducing a new eligibility criterion post-examination via a counter-affidavit was not permissible.
“Even though the employer is a rightful person who should demand the educational requirement for a post to be filled up in this regard, the qualification contemplated by the employer shall not make any arbitrary discrimination between equivalent and similar course without any valid basis,” the Court observed.
UGC RECOGNITION, PRIOR PRECEDENTS SUPPORT PETITIONER
The Court also cited previous rulings where the one-year LLM program, approved by the UGC, was accepted for Ph.D. admissions in institutions like Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University.
“As stated already one year LLM Programme has been approved by UGC and that has been accepted as a qualification to get enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Tamil Nadu Dr.Ambedkar Law University itself. It is needless to state that the University in which the petitioner had done her one-year LLM course is one of the most reputed Law School in the country and it is needless to Under such circumstances, no invalidation can be attached to one year LLM degree for the purpose of getting appointment in the public departments or Universities,” Justice Manjula stated.
COURT ISSUES DIRECTIONS TO TRB
The High Court directed the Teachers Recruitment Board to include the petitioner’s name in the final selection list and to issue her appointment order accordingly.
CASE DETAILS
CAUSE TITLE: Dr. Sangeetha Sriraam v. The Teachers Recruitment Board & Ors.
PETITIONER’S COUNSEL: Advocate M. Nirmalkumar
RESPONDENTS’ COUNSEL: Additional Advocate General R. Neelakandan, assisted by Advocates R. Siddharath, V. Umakanth, and P. R. Gopinathan
This ruling is expected to set a precedent for similar disputes involving recognized one-year postgraduate programs and ensure that job eligibility is not dictated by arbitrary interpretations of educational qualifications.
