J&K CAT Halts English Assistant Professor Selection Until Officials Decide 3 Candidates’ Plea To Apply After Delayed UGC-NET Result

The applicants, who had applied for and appeared in the UGC-NET June 2026 examination in English, asserted that the National Testing Agency’s re-examination delayed declaration of the result until 17 September 2026—after the 31 August 2026 eligibility cut-off for the Assistant Professor (English) recruitment.

They sought permission to submit applications and have their candidatures considered, or an extension of the cut-off date.

After arguments, they requested that the Original Application be treated as a representation for the respondents to consider those claims.

The respondents did not oppose disposal with appropriate directions, without prejudice to their rights and contentions.

The Tribunal directed that the applicants’ claims be considered under the applicable rules and regulations and the law governing the field, subject to the applicants meeting the requisite eligibility and entitlement and there being no legal impediment.

The Tribunal expressly left all questions of fact and law open and made no determination on the merits.

Given the applicants’ limited request and the absence of opposition to disposal with appropriate directions, the Tribunal considered that keeping the Original Application pending would serve no useful purpose.

It therefore referred the claims to the respondents for a reasoned decision under the applicable law, without deciding whether the applicants were eligible or entitled to the relief sought.

To preserve the position pending that decision, it directed that the selection process not proceed in the interim.

The respondents were directed not to proceed further with the Assistant Professor (English) selection until the representation was decided.

No opinion was expressed on the merits; pending miscellaneous applications were also disposed of, with no order as to costs.