The petition was filed by Radha Gupta, who contended that she had served as a guest lecturer in a college under the Janbhagidari scheme during the academic session 2002–03. Gupta, holding M.Sc., Ph.D., and NET qualifications, applied for the Assistant Professor (Botany) position advertised in 2025 and sought similar treatment as government-appointed guest faculty regarding age relaxation and experience-based reservation.
However, the court, after examining the case, clarified that the petitioner’s employment under the Janbhagidari scheme did not fall within the ambit of government-sanctioned posts. Therefore, she could not claim the benefits reserved for guest faculty members working in government institutions.
The bench observed that the policy on age relaxation and reservation is intended to recognise the contribution of guest faculty serving officially under the Higher Education Department, and extending it beyond that scope would violate recruitment norms.
Legal experts said the ruling reinforces the distinction between contractual teaching under government-approved vacancies and appointments made by college-level management committees under local schemes.
The decision is expected to impact similar petitions filed by former guest lecturers seeking inclusion in government recruitment benefits. The court’s verdict upholds the state’s policy framework, maintaining that eligibility relaxations must adhere strictly to officially sanctioned categories of service.
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