Archive · 12 Aug 2025
Kerala Govt. Challenges Governor's VC Appointments in Supreme Court
The government of Kerala and its governor are in a disagreement over who should appoint the leaders of state universities.
The governor appointed temporary leaders, but the government says he didn't follow the rules.
The government has now taken the matter to the Supreme Court.
The High Court initially sided with the government, but then the Supreme Court said the governor could make temporary appointments.
However, the government is now saying that even with the Supreme Court's ruling, the governor still didn't follow all the specific steps laid out in the law.
This disagreement continues a larger conflict between the government and the governor about who has power in the state's universities.
Kerala government challenges Governor's appointment of interim VCs in the Supreme Court.
Governor Rajendra Arlekar appointed Ciza Thomas and K Sivaprasad as interim VCs, bypassing prescribed procedures.
The Kerala High Court initially struck down the appointments but allowed incumbents to continue temporarily.
The Supreme Court later ruled the Governor could appoint temporary VCs until permanent appointments are made.
The government argues the Governor's appointments did not follow specific Act provisions.
- Who
- Kerala government and Governor Rajendra Arlekar.
- What
- Kerala government is challenging Governor's appointment of interim VCs.
- When
- On Tuesday, the Kerala government moved to the Supreme Court.
- Where
- Kerala, India
- Why
- The government believes the appointments bypassed required procedures.
Kerala Government
Governor's Office
Appointment Procedures
Kerala Government
Governor's appointments bypassed prescribed procedures and didn't follow the Kerala Technology University Act and Digital University Act.
Governor's Office
The appointments followed the Supreme Court's orders.
- Governor
- Rajendra Arlekar
- Interim VCs
- Ciza Thomas, K Sivaprasad
- Universities
- Kerala University of Digital Sciences, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Previous Governor
- Arif Mohammed Khan
