(Prayer: This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 and 227 of the Constitution of India, praying to quash the impugned endorsement bearing No. AA KA/SI SHAA-1/950- B/2026-27 dated. 28.07.2026 issued by the Respondent No.2 Annexure-D, in the interest of justice and equity.)

Oral Order

1. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent-University. Perused the material placed on record.

2. The short question that falls for consideration is, whether the petitioner, who came to be appointed as a Subject Matter Specialist in the respondent- University under order dated 18.06.2024, is entitled to seek a 'No Objection Certificate' for applying to a regular post outside the University. The petitioner has called in question the endorsement bearing No.AaKa/SiShaa-1/950-B/2026-27 dated 28.07.2026 issued by respondent No.2, whereby the request for issuance of NOC has been declined on the premise that the petitioner has executed a bond undertaking to serve the University for a period of five years.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner, placing reliance on the Circular dated 03.06.2016 issued by the respondent-University, would contend that an employee who has completed the requisite period of service is entitled to apply for posts outside the University and, therefore, refusal to issue NOC is contrary to the policy framed by the University itself. He would further place reliance on the order passed by this Court in an identical matter concerning an employee of the very same University, wherein this Court, while setting aside a similar endorsement, had issued a writ of mandamus directing the authorities to issue NOC so as to enable the employee to participate in the selection process.

4. The petitioner has also placed on record the order directing to issue 'No Objection Certificate' in favour of a similarly situated employee pursuant to the directions issued by this Court, which is produced at Annexure-E. A perusal of the Circular dated 03.06.2016 would indicate that employees who have completed the prescribed period of service are eligible to seek permission for applying to posts outside the University. Therefore, the action of respondent No.2 in refusing to issue NOC solely on the ground that the petitioner has executed a bond for a period of five years cannot be sustained.

5. Having regard to the Circular dated 03.06.2016 and the fact that similarly placed employees have been extended the benefit of issuance of NOC pursuant to orders passed by this Court, this Court is of the view that the petitioner is entitled to seek a 'No Objection Certificate' from the respondent- University. Consequently, a writ of mandamus would lie directing the respondents to act in conformity with their own Circular and facilitate the petitioner to participate in the selection process for appointment to a regular post outside the University.

6. For the foregoing reasons, this Court proceeds to pass the following:

ORDER

          (i) The writ petition is allowed.

          (ii) The endorsement bearing No.AaKa/ SiShaa-1 /950-B/ 2026-27 dated 28.07.2026 issued by respondent No.2, vide Annexure-D, is hereby quashed.

          (iii) Respondent-University is directed to issue a 'No Objection Certificate' to the petitioner within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order, strictly in terms of the Circular dated 03.06.2016, so as to enable the petitioner to participate in the interview and selection process for the post sought to be applied for.

          (iv) The respondent-University is hereby directed to grant NOC on or before 08.08.2026.