Synopsis

This Supreme Court judgment addresses a significant constitutional question regarding the legislative competence of a Union Territory Legislature vis-à-vis the Parliament in matters of higher education. The core dispute centered on the validity of the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor under the Puducherry Technological University Act, 2019, which was challenged for non-compliance with the University Grants Commission Regulations, 2018. While upholding the High Court's finding that the State law was ultra vires the Central Regulations, the Supreme Court, in a unique exercise of its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, permitted the incumbent Vice-Chancellor to complete his term to avoid administrative disruption and personal stigma.

1. Basic Information of the Judgment

Case Title:  – Dr. S. Mohan vs. The Secretary to the Chancellor, Puducherry Technological University, Puducherry & Ors.

Civil Appeal No(s). 54-55 of 2025 (Arising out of SLP (C.) No. 4593-4594 of 2024)

Citation: 2026 INSC 100

Court: Supreme Court of India

Jurisdiction: Civil Appellate Jurisdiction (Article 136)

Coram: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta

Nature of Bench: Division Bench (Two Judges)

Date of Judgment: January 30, 2026

2. Governing Legal Framework & Key Precedents

The judgment interprets the complex interplay between central and state legislative powers in the Concurrent List:

• Primary Constitutional Provisions:
  Article 246 read with the Seventh Schedule: Distribution of legislative powers between the Union (List I), State (List II), and Concurrent (List III) subjects.
  Article 254: Doctrine of repugnancy – deals with inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the Legislatures of States.
  Article 142: Po

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