Karnataka High Court
Dr B H Satyanarayana vs The Registrar on 1 April, 2026
Author: S.R.Krishna Kumar
Bench: S.R.Krishna Kumar
-1-
NC: 2026:KHC:17863
WP No. 7455 of 2022
HC-KAR
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 1ST DAY OF APRIL, 2026
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR
WRIT PETITION NO. 7455 OF 2022 (S-PRO)
BETWEEN:
DR. B. H. SATYANARAYANA
S/O B. G. HAMPANNA,
AGED ABOUT 49 YEARS
SUJANA MAIN ROAD,
SHANTAMMA LAYOUT,
SIDDESWARA NAGAR,
SHIVAMOGA - 517 203
...PETITIONER
(BY SRI. SIRI RAJASHEKAR, ADVOCATE)
AND:
1. THE REGISTRAR
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY
JNANA SAHYADRI,
SHANKARAGATTA,
Digitally SHIVAMOGGA - 577 451
signed by
CHANDANA
BM 2. THE CO-ORDINATOR IQAC
Location: KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY,
High Court of JNANA SAHYADRI,
Karnataka SHANKARAGATTA,
SHIVAMOGGA - 577 451
3. THE CHAIRMAN
BOA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE,
KUVEMPU UNIVERSITY,
JNANA SAHYADRI,
SHANKARAGATTA,
SHIVAMOGGA - 577 451
-2-
NC: 2026:KHC:17863
WP No. 7455 of 2022
HC-KAR
4. THE PRINCIPAL SECRETARY
HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
M. S. BUILDING,
BENGALURU - 560 001
...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. S. V. PRAKASH, ADVOCATE FOR R1 TO R3;
SRI. SPOORTHY HEGDE, AGA FOR R4)
THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLE 227 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH ENDORSEMENT
VIDE NO.KUV/MAASANI-3(52)/3875/2021-22, DTD 06.12.2021,
ISSUED BY THE R-1 VIDE ANNX-G AND DIRECT THE R-1 TO
EXTEND THE AGP AS PER MINIMUM ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
AND SERVICE REQUIREMENTS FOR PROMOTION UNDER UGCs
CAREER ADVANCEMENT SCHEME (CAS) AND ETC.,
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,
ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER:
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
In this petition, the petitioner seeks the following reliefs:
"a) Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari quashing endorsement vide No.KUV/MAASANI-3(52)/3875/2021-
22, dated 06.12.2021, issued by the 1st respondent at Annexure-G and direct the 1st respondent to extent the AGP as per Minimum Academic Performance and Service Requirements for Promotion under UGC's Career Advancement Scheme (CAS).
b) Issue a writ in the nature of certiorari quashing Annexure-
M, endorsement Vide No.KUV/MAASANI-
3(10)/66/2021-22, dated 06.04.2021, issued by 1st respondent and to extend Ph.D increments pursuant to acquiring the qualification.
-3-
NC: 2026:KHC:17863 WP No. 7455 of 2022 HC-KAR
c) Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the 1st respondent to consider the representation at Annexure- O dated 22.02.2021 and to extend financial benefits as provided under the 2006 UGC pay scale; and
d) Pass such other orders as may deemed appropriate in the ends of justice and equity."
2. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 to 3 and learned AGA for respondent No.4 and perused the material on record.
3. In addition to reiterating the various contentions urged in the petition and referring to the material on record, learned counsel for the petitioner invited my attention to the impugned endorsements at Annexures-G and M, in order to point out that the reasons assigned by respondent No.1 to deny extension of the benefit under Stage-2 (AGP 7,000/- to 8,000/-) in favour of the petitioner and also refusing to extend Ph.D increments in favour of the petitioner, pursuant to the petitioner acquiring the Ph.D qualification is contrary to the material on record as well as the following judgments:
(i) Dr. R. Porkodi vs. The Registrar and others -
W.P.No.2240/2024 and WMP Nos.2432, 2435 and 2439 of 2024 dated 02.02.2024 (Madras).
-4-
NC: 2026:KHC:17863 WP No. 7455 of 2022 HC-KAR
(ii) Dr. (Smt.) Shailabala Gandhi Vs. The State of Madhya Pradesh and other - W.P.No.23639/2023 dated 05.04.2025 (Madhya Pradesh at Indore)
(iii) Dr. Santosh Gaherwal Vs. Higher Education Department
- 2025:MPHC-IND:29293 (Madhya Pradesh at Indore)
(iv) Dri. Shiv Ratan Singh & Another Vs. Government of NCT of Delhi and others - W.P.(C) 702/2020 CM Appl.24017/2020 & 9845/2021, dated 07.12.2021 (Delhi)
(v) Sri. S. Ramesh Karnik and others Vs. State of Karnataka and others - W.P.No.104995/2018 dated 11.08.2022 (Karnataka).
(vi) Dr. (Ms.) Alka Jain Vs. The State of Madhya Pradesh and others - W.P.No.4319/2021 dated 09.09.2025.
4. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the respondents are to be directed to consider the representation and extend the benefits as provided under the UGC pay scale, within a stipulated timeframe. It is submitted that the eligibility of the petitioner for the aforesaid benefits would stand established by the various documents produced by the petitioner along with the documents produced with synopsis dated 24.03.2026 as well as the decisions of this Court and other High Courts. -5-
NC: 2026:KHC:17863 WP No. 7455 of 2022 HC-KAR
5. Per contra, Learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 to 3 and learned AGA for respondent No.4 jointly submit that there is no merit in the petition and that the same is liable to be dismissed.
6. A perusal of the impugned endorsements at Annexures-G and M issued by respondent No.1 will clearly indicate that the documents which purport to entitle the petitioner to the benefit of Stage-2 (AGP 7,000/- to 8,000/-) and the judgments of this court and other High Courts referred to supra have not been considered by respondent No.1 while issuing the impugned endorsements. So also, respondent No.1 has not considered the representation dated 22.02.2021 submitted by the petitioner to extend financial benefits under the UGC pay scale as can be seen from the impugned endorsements at Annexures-G and M. Under these circumstances, without expressing any merits on the rival contentions, I deem it just and appropriate to set aside Annexures- G and M and remit the matter back to the respondent Nos.1 and 2 for reconsideration afresh and in accordance with law, by issuing certain directions.
7. In the result, I pass the following:
-6-
NC: 2026:KHC:17863 WP No. 7455 of 2022 HC-KAR ORDER
(i) The petition is allowed.
(ii) The petitioner shall appear before respondent No.1 on 15.04.2026 without awaiting further notice from respondent No.1.
(iii) Liberty is reserved in favour of the petitioner to file pleadings, documents etc., before respondent No1., who shall consider the same and proceed further, in accordance with law.
(iv) Respondent No.1 shall reconsider the matter afresh and also pass appropriate order pursuant to the representation at Annexure-O, bearing in mind the aforesaid judgments and documents produced by the petitioner within a period of six weeks from 15.04.2026.
(v) All rival contentions on all aspects of the matter are kept/left open and no opinion is expressed on merits/demerits of the rival contentions.
Sd/-
(S.R.KRISHNA KUMAR) JUDGE BMC List No.: 1 Sl No.: 19