In Brief
Vivek Mudgil applied for promotion to Principal after being selected in 2002, but when appointed in 2008, his appointment was cancelled because he lacked the required ten years of teaching experience—he had only 9 years and 3 months. He argued his study leave in Czechoslovakia (1992–1996) should count toward experience. The Supreme Court held that study leave, even if increments were granted, cannot be counted as teaching experience. The Court also ruled that mandatory qualifications must be possessed on the application deadline. An exemption granted later during proceedings could not retrospectively cure the disqualification. The appeal was dismissed; the issue of exemption power under the Act was left open.
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