Rajasthan High Court Warns UGC Of Contempt For Failure To Implement Fresh Exam Directions For Students With Suspended Degrees
Nupur Agrawal
2 Sept 2026 9:48 PM IST
The Rajasthan High Court has issued contempt warning to UGC officials in case of their failure to comply with the directions to conduct fresh examination for students whose diplomas/ degrees/ qualifications, obtained from various distance education centres of deemed universities were nullified by an order of the Court dated January 1, 2024.
The division bench of Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Praveer Bhatnagar was hearing a bunch of special appeals, in which the appellant was undergoing the recruitment process for the post of Assistant Professor and was apprehending disqualification from participation in the counselling process on account of issue relating to her degree in question.
The Court highlighted that the earlier stay petition was dismissed in relation to these matters in light of the protection available under Paragraphs 38.8, 38.3 and 38.4 of the 2024 order.
As per these paragraphs, the UGC was directed to promptly take steps to conduct fresh examination for students whose degrees were suspended.
In this background, in the present matter, the Court directed the respective universities to furnish all necessary details of the petitioners to the UGC, within 15 days, as required for the purpose of compliance with the paragraph, to protect the interests of the students. And the UGC has been directed to take necessary steps within a period of 30 days.
“If the UGC, which is under an obligation arising out of the impugned judgment, fails to activate and comply with paragraph 38.4, which formed the basis of the impugned order dated 08.01.2024 and was thereafter reiterated by this Court in its interim order dated 30.05.2024, this Court shall contemplate initiating contempt proceedings against the concerned authorities of the UGC.”
The Court further directed that the appellant's participation in the counselling process and inclusion in the merit list shall remain subject to the final outcome of the present proceedings. If she was found eligible in the counselling process, one post shall be kept vacant for her until further orders of the Court.
The matter shall be next heard on October 12, 2026.
Title: Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan, Vidyapeeth (Deemed) University v Union of India, and other connected matters
