Legal Analysis: Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University v. Jitendra Singh and Others

Citation: 2026 INSC 520

Court: Supreme Court of India

Bench: A Division Bench comprising Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha & Justice Alok Aradhe

Date of Decision: May 21, 2026

Nature of Judgment: Civil Appeal arising out of SLP (C) No. 16265 of 2024 and connected matter against the order of the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench dated 22.05.2024.

Synopsis of the Judgment

The respondent (First Registrar) was appointed as the First Registrar of the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University under the transitional provisions of Section 46(b) of the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Act, 2013. His services were terminated during probation, which led to litigation. After remand by the High Court, a fresh disciplinary enquiry was conducted, and the Visitor (President of India) approved termination of his services. The High Court held that the Visitor had no role in disciplinary proceedings against university employees and quashed the termination. The Supreme Court reversed this finding, holding that: (i) under the transitional provisions, the Visitor was the appointing authority for the First Registrar; (ii) under Section 16 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, the appointing authority has the power to dismiss or remove the appointee; (iii) the Visitor was therefore competent to terminate the services; (iv) however, since the three‑year term under Section 46(b) had already expired, the respondent was not entitled to reinstatement; (v) the High Court’s order granting back wages was set aside, and the matter was disposed of without any further relief.

1. Basic Information of the Judgment

Case Title: Vice Chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University v. Jitendra Singh and Others (with connected appeal)

Citation: 2026 INSC 520

Civil Appeal Nos.: Arising out of SLP (C) No. 16265 of 2024 and Diary No. 38863 of 2024

Bench: Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha & Justice Alok Aradhe

Date of Decision: May 21, 2026

Court: Supreme Court of India (Civil Appellate Jurisdiction)

Impugned Order: Order dated 22.05.2024 of the Division Bench of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench, setting aside the order of the learned Single Judge dated 25.04.2023 and the order of the Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation dated 27.04.2022.

2. Legal Framework

Major Laws and Provisions Involved

• Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Act, 2013 – Section 2(b) (definition of academic staff), Section 2(l) (definition of employee), Section 2(x) (definition of teacher), Section 9 (Visitor – powers of the President of India), Section 14 (appointment of Registrar by Executive Council), Section 20 (Executive Council – first Executive Council until constituted, Steering Committee to function as int

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