Overview

• Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar reappointed Dr. Ciza Thomas at the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology and Dr. K. Sivaprasad at APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University as interim vice-chancellors.
• The Supreme Court’s July 30 directive overturned the Kerala High Court’s decision, permitted the interim appointments for up to six months and urged the formation of a mechanism for permanent vice-chancellor selections.
• Higher Education Minister R. Bindu and Law Minister P. Rajeeve condemned the reappointments for bypassing government-recommended panels and contravening court instructions.
• Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a formal letter to Raj Bhavan demanding the cancellation of the interim vice-chancellor appointments and signaled intent to escalate the dispute legally.
• The latest move underscores a prolonged institutional standoff over chancellor powers that has left key state universities without permanent leadership.