Himachal Pradesh High Court nullifies state rules for appointing VCs of agricultural universities

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has struck down the state’s rules that prescribed the procedure for appointing vice‑chancellors to its agricultural universities. The bench held that the regulations violated statutory provisions governing university administration.

The judgment invalidates the existing framework and directs the state government to devise a new, legally compliant mechanism for future appointments. Until fresh guidelines are issued, the positions of vice‑chancellor in the affected institutions will remain vacant or be filled under interim arrangements.

Legal experts note that the ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring that university governance adheres to the principles of transparency and merit‑based selection, as mandated by the University Grants Commission and relevant state statutes.