Kerala Chief Minister Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan and Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar. File photo: Special arrangement
The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 18, 2025) recorded the appointment of two regular Vice-Chancellors to the State-run APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology.
A Bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan recorded the Court’s appreciation for both the Governor and the Chief Minister for bringing to an end to this “saga”.
Justice Pardiwala said universities cannot function without regular Vice-Chancellors.
Dr. Ciza Thomas and Dr. Saji Gopinathan were appointed as Vice-Chancellors of the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology, respectively.
Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar, on December 4, conveyed to the Supreme Court his preference for their appointments. Governor Arlekar had said he preferred both names for the respective posts, though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan objected to Ms. Thomas. Mr. Arlekar had said the Chief Minister’s objection to Ms. Thomas was based merely on news reports and not on records.
The Supreme Court intervened on August 18 to appoint Justice (retired) Sudhanshu Dhulia to head a search-cum-selection committee to recommend names for appointment as Vice Chancellors of the two universities.
Published – December 18, 2025 11:25 am IST
