The Kerala High Court has held that it is unlawful to insist on an equivalency certificate for degrees obtained from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), a Central University recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), for appearing in the State Eligibility Test (SET).
The judgment was delivered by Justice D.K. Singh while deciding on the writ petition filed by Harisankar S., a Primary Teacher since 2007, seeking relief against the LBS Centre for Science and Technology, which conducts the SET in Kerala.
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The petitioner, who completed his graduation from the University of Calicut and postgraduation in Gandhi & Peace Studies from IGNOU, had qualified the SET conducted in July 2021. However, the LBS Centre refused to issue his pass certificate on the ground that he did not submit an equivalency certificate for his Master's degree from a State University, as required under clauses 2.2 and 5.6(a) of the SET prospectus.
The State also defended this position, citing special rules framed under the Kerala Education Act, 1958. However, the Court rejected these arguments.
“The IGNOU is a University of National importance established by the Central Government... Its courses are approved by the UGC. If courses approved by the UGC offered by a Central University require equivalence from State Universities, it would be the end of the education system,” the Court observed.
Justice Singh referred to Government Order G.O.(Ms) No. 272/2018/HEDN dated 13.11.2018, which clarifies that degrees from National Institutes like IITs, NITs, IISERs, and other UGC-recognized institutions do not require separate recognition or equivalency for state processes.
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“Insistence upon the equivalence certificate is wholly unjustified and such clauses in the prospectus run contrary to the Government Order… as well as the National Education Policy,” the Court stated, declaring the prospectus provisions ultra vires the UGC Act and regulations.
In conclusion, the Court allowed the petition, directing the LBS Centre to issue the SET pass certificate to the petitioner without demanding any equivalency certificate.
Case No: WP(C) No. 15672 of 2025
Case Title: Harisankar S. v. State of Kerala & Others
Petitioner Counsel: R.K. Muraleedharan, Athira A. Menon, Harisankar K.V.
Respondents' Counsel: Shameena Salahudheen (LBS Centre), V. Venugopal (Government Pleader)
