PREMANANDA MOHAPATRA Vs. VICE-CHANCELLOR, RAVENSHAW UNIVERSITY, CUTTACK

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this writ application, the petitioner has prayed, inter alia, for issuance of writ of mandamus to the Vice -Chancellor, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, opposite party no.1, to allow him to participate in the interview for the post of Professor in Odia.

(2.) Bereft of unnecessary details, the case of the petitioner is that Ravenshaw University issued an advertisement on 29.1.2016, vide Annexure -5, to fill up various posts in the University. The petitioner, who is a Reader in Odia and otherwise eligible, applied for the post of Professor in Odia. It is stated that he has a brilliant academic record. He was a Reader in Ravenshaw University from 17.11.2012 to 16.11.2015. He made significant contribution to the Odia Literature. He has published various research books. He has been awarded prestigious "Odisha Sahitya Academy Award" in the year 2009. He has delivered lecture in different colleges organized by U.G.C. At present, he is prosecuting the research project funded by U.G.C. Eleven candidates have been awarded M.Phil under his guidance. Eight scholars are prosecuting their Ph.D under him. He is a member of the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan. But then he was not called for the interview.

(3.) Pursuant to issuance of notice, a counter affidavit has been filed by the opposite parties. It is stated that pursuant to the advertisement, the petitioner has applied for the post of Professor in Odia. Along with his application, he has submitted a calculation sheet of his "Academic Performance Indicator" (API) score. As per his own calculation, he has secured 364.87 points, whereas eligible requirement is 400 points. Thus he is not eligible for the post of Professor. In view of the same, he has not been called for the interview. It is further stated that as per Appendix -III Table II(c) of UGC Guidelines, 2010, the minimum requirement of API score for the post of Professor is 400 points. Since the petitioner secured less than 400 points, he is not eligible for the post of Professor in Odia.