The Supreme Court just answered this in Priyanka Kumari v. State of Bihar (2026)
Bench: Justices Rajesh Bindal & Vijay Bishnoi
In 2004, the appellants completed their Bachelor of Library Science from a private university in Chhattisgarh. In 2005, the Act under which that university was created was struck down as unconstitutional. In 2009 — they were recruited as librarians in Bihar. In 2015 — their services were terminated. Reason?
Their university was declared invalid.
The Court reinstated them. Clear reasoning:
- The appellants were not at fault.
- They completed education before the statute was struck down.
- Their appointments had already been upheld earlier.
- Termination was arbitrary and unsustainable.
The Court held that citizens cannot be penalized for legislative incompetence.
Should degrees from later-invalidated universities be protected?
Follow for sharp breakdowns of Supreme Court rulings
that actually impact careers and public employment.
Save this — especially if you deal with service law.
Subscribe to our updates now and be the first to know about the latest news and developments. Subscribe here: https://legal.relegal.in/subscribe-newsletter/
#legalcousel #legalawareness #legaladvice #servicetermination #lawwithRaji
Case Comment
| 18 February 2026 Citations: 2026 INSC 167 | 2026 SCO.LR 2(4)[19] |
| |
| The Supreme Court held that it is illegal to terminate services of an employee on the ground that their university degree was declared invalid after their graduation. In 2004, the appellants graduated from the University of Technology and Science, Raipur, Chhattisgarh with a Bachelors of Library Science degree. The University was established under the Chhattisgarh Niji Kshetra Viswavidyalaya Act 2002. The statute was declared invalid by the Supreme Court in 2005, on the ground that the legislative assembly was not competent to enact it. In 2009, the appellants were recruited as librarians by the Bihar government. The challenge to their recruitment was dismissed by the Patna High Court. However, the government terminated their employment in 2015. After a writ petition was dismissed by the High Court, a civil appeal was filed in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reinstated employment, noting that the appellants cannot be at fault merely for studying in a university established under an Act subsequently declared ultra vires. Keywords/phrases: Chhattisgarh Niji Kshetra Viswavidyalaya Act 2002–Declared ultra vires–Appellants completed education–Appointed as librarians–Appointment challenged–Dismissed by High Court–Service termination held invalid–Entitled to the benefit of university degree Read the Judgement here. |