Supreme Court Upholds Appointment Despite Doubtful PhD, Orders University Probe

Appointment rested on an independent qualification

The Supreme Court declined to set aside the appointment of an Assistant Professor of Physical Education at a college affiliated with Maharshi Dayanand University. Material before the Court raised a prima facie doubt about the authenticity of the appointee’s PhD, but the doctorate was not mandatory for eligibility.

The appointee had independently satisfied the essential qualification by clearing UGC-NET. The Court therefore held that the disputed PhD could not, without more, invalidate an appointment supported by the required qualification.

Fresh inquiry into the degree

The Bench nevertheless treated the allegation seriously and directed the university to conduct a fresh inquiry into the PhD’s authenticity. This separates two questions: whether the appointment met the advertised eligibility standard, and whether submission or use of a false academic credential warrants disciplinary or other legal consequences. The ruling protects the completed selection while ensuring that the alleged misconduct is properly investigated.