Central Information Commission
Antony Michael vs University Grants Commission on 16 March, 2026
के ीय सू चना आयोग
Central Information Commission
बाबा गंगनाथ माग, मुिनरका
Baba Gangnath Marg, Munirka
नई िद ी, New Delhi - 110067
File No: CIC/UGCOM/A/2025/607782
Antony Michael .....अपीलकता/Appellant
VERSUS
बनाम
The CPIO
UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION,
RTI CELL, BAHADUR SHAH ZAFAR MARG,
NEW DELHI -110002 .... ितवादीगण /Respondent
Date of Hearing : 09.03.2026
Date of Decision : 09.03.2026
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER : Sudha Rani Relangi
Relevant facts emerging from appeal:
RTI application filed on : 11.01.2025
CPIO replied on : 07.02.2025
First appeal filed on : 07.02.2025
First Appellate Authority's order : 12.02.2025
2nd Appeal dated : 13.02.2025
Information sought:
1. The Appellant filed an RTI application dated 11.01.2025 seeking the following information:
"1. Please provide specific information regarding:
a) Whether UGC NET qualification obtained in December 2022 remains valid for PhD admissions from 2024 onwards
b) The exact validity period of December 2022 UGC NET qualification for PhD admissions
c) If there are any restrictions or additional requirements for candidates with December 2022 UGC NET qualifications Page 1 of 4
2. Please provide specific information regarding:
a) Whether there is any prescribed validity period for UGC NET qualifications obtained before July 2024
b) If such validity period exists, please specify the exact duration/expiry dates for UGC NET qualifications obtained in years 2022 and 2023
c) Whether any UGC NET qualification obtained before July 2024 will be considered valid for PhD admissions in academic years 2024-25 and beyond
d) If there are any new regulations or notifications that affect the validity period of pre-July 2024 UGC NET qualifications
3. Please provide the complete information regarding the current eligibility criteria for PhD admissions in:
a) Central Universities b) State Universities c) Deemed Universities d) Private Universities falling under the jurisdiction of UGC/Ministry of Education."
2. The CPIO furnished a reply to the Appellant on 07.02.2025 stating as under:
"Reply:- 1 to 3. Please refer to UGC Regulations, 2022, which is self- explanatory and available on the below mentioned link https://www.ugc.gov.in/pdfnews/0909572_Minimum-Standards-and- Procedure-for-Award-of-PhD-Degree.pdf. except this any additional information is not available on the subject matter."
3. Aggrieved by the decision of the CPIO, the Appellant filed a First Appeal dated 07.02.2025. The FAA vide its order dated 12.02.2025, upheld the reply of the CPIO.
4. Challenging the FAA's order, Appellant is before the Commission with the instant Second Appeal.
Relevant Facts emerged during Hearing:
The following were present:-
Appellant: Shri Antony Michael present through video conference. Respondent: Shri Dalbir Singh, US/CPIO present in person.
5. Written statement filed by the CPIO is taken on record.
Page 2 of 46. Hearing bench pointed out to the Appellant, the reply of the CPIO given earlier and now vide written statement by giving reference to UGC Guidelines for award of PHD Regulations appears to have adequately addressed the queries raised in RTI application under reference. To this, the Appellant pleaded that he qualified the UGC NET in December 2022 session and subsequently applied for Ph.D. admission in a Central University in 2025. He was shortlisted for admission, however, his name was later removed from the list by citing the UGC Public Notice titled "National Eligibility Test (NET) as an Entrance Test for Admission to Ph.D." bearing Notification No. F.4-1(UGC-NET Review Committee)/2024(NET)/140648 dated 27.03.2024. Appellant further pleaded that said notification does not clearly state that candidates who qualified NET prior to July 2024 are ineligible for Ph.D. admissions. Due to this ambiguity, Appellant sought clarification through the RTI application. However, CPIO Instead of providing a direct response to the specific questions raised, referred to the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022 published in the Gazette of India with Gazette Code CG-DL-E-07112022-240086. The Appellant contended the reply has failed to address the core queries raised in his RTI application, particularly whether UGC NET qualifications obtained prior to July 2024 (especially December 2022 session) have any validity period for Ph.D. admissions. Appellant stated that the delay caused in disclosing the information has directly affected his academic future as his name was removed from the Ph.D. admission list despite having qualified UGC NET leading to significant academic uncertainty as well as emotional and mental distress.
7. CPIO reiterated the contents of the averred reply furnished to the Appellant.
8. On the oral directions of the Commission, the Appellant agreed to file a written statement to the CIC incorporating the entire facts as tendered during hearing with a copy served to the CPIO.
9. Post hearing, the Commission received a written statement from the Appellant on the same arguments as tendered orally, which is taken on record.
Decision:
10. Heard the parties.
11. Ongoing through the facts of the matter and considering the submissions of the parties at length, the Commission is of the view that the Page 3 of 4 issue raised by the Appellant through instant RTI application with factual background could not be properly addressed by the CPIO in his reply. This is evident from the fact that the reply of the CPIO nowhere clarifies the aspect as to whether candidates completing NET in 2022 are eligible for PHD Admission in 2024.
12. In the light of above, this Second Appeal is allowed. The CPIO is directed to consider the written statement of the Appellant and provide a revised updated reply to the RTI application in question, as per the provisions of the RTI Act, 2005. This direction shall be complied within three weeks from the date of receipt of this order under intimation to the Commission.
The Appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Sd/-
Sudha Rani Relangi(सुधा रानी रे लंगी) Information Commissioner (सूचनाआयु ) Authenticated true copy (अिभ मािणतस ािपत ित) (Anil Kumar Mehta) Dy. Registrar 011- 26767500 Date Shri Antony Michael Page 4 of 4 Recomendation(s) to PA under section 25(5) of the RTI Act, 2005:-
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