SC Upholds Enhancement Of Maximum Age Limit To Post Of Medical College Professors In UP [Read Judgment]

The Supreme Court has upheld enhancement of the maximum age limit to the posts of Professor in Medical Colleges in the State of Uttar Pradesh from 45 years to 65 years.

One of the issues raised in Dr. Professor Rajendra Chaudhary vs. State of UP was whether enhancement of the upper age limit for appointment to the post of Professor by direct recruitment is contrary to the Uttar Pradesh Medical Colleges Teachers' Service (Second Amendment) Rules, 2005.

The bench comprising Justice L. Nageswara Rao and Justice Hemant Gupta observed that the decision of the Government to increase the upper age limit from 45 years to 65 years is not vitiated.

The court noted that that the relaxation was done in view of the shortage of teachers in Medical Institutions who are qualified for appointment to the posts of Professors. The relaxation of the upper age limit was applicable only to those departments where 25 per cent or more posts were vacant and in respect of other departments, the State Government decided not to fill them up, the bench said.

While dismissing the appeal, the bench directed the Government to expedite the process of selection to the posts of Professors and make appointments at the earliest. It said:

The posts of Professors in Government Medical Colleges being manned for 15 years prior to 2015 by unqualified persons indicates the distressing state of affairs of medical education in the State of Uttar Pradesh. To remedy a grave situation, the State has taken a decision to make appointments by increasing the maximum age limit. The sincere attempt made by the State to have qualified doctors holding the posts of Professors has not yielded any results due to the pendency of cases which are filed challenging the advertisement. 

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