Above: Allahabad HC (file picture)

The Allahabad HC on Thursday (June 28) asked the Allahabad University to explain the rationale behind the introduction of Academic Performance Index (API) for the appointment of Assistant Professors.

The university was asked to file its reply within three weeks.

Consequently, the bench of Justices Abhinav Upadhyay and Saral Srivastava also directed that the selection of the professors will continue but the final decision will be based on the final verdict in this case.

The bench gave the order while acting on the plea filed by one Dr Nuruddin Mohammed Parvez along with four others who challenged the validity of API for selection of Assistant Professors in the Allahabad University.

During the course of proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel said that API can be used for the selection of associate professors and professors but not for the selection of Assistant Professors as it violates the guidelines of UGC.

Allahabad University’s counsel Chandan Sharma countered the arguments and said that no change has been done in the basic qualifications required for the selection of Assistant Professors. And the API has been introduced only to select the better and qualified Assistant Professors. Even the API has been endorsed by Academic Council and Executive Council of the university.

—India Legal Bureau