In Brief
Allahabad University recruited Assistant Professors using UGC Regulations 2018, which awards marks for teaching experience during shortlisting. A candidate challenged the rule requiring contractual teaching experience to be accompanied by salary equivalent to a regular Assistant Professor's salary. The High Court read down this rule. The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that Regulation 10(f)(iii) validly applies to shortlisting and cannot be read down without a finding of constitutional invalidity. Courts lack power to delete statutory words through interpretation. Recruiting bodies may adopt enhanced (not diluted) norms for shortlisting when candidates vastly exceed vacancies, provided the criteria are rational and transparent.
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