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17. It has to be noticed that the amendment as made in the minimum qualification, now provides that the exemption from NET shall be given to the   Ph.D.   degree   holders,   only   when   Ph.D. degree   has   been   awarded   to   them   in   compliance with   the   Regulations   2009   of   UGC   (Minimum Standards   and   Procedure).   The   above   provision thus, made it mandatory that for lecturers NET qualification is necessary and exemption shall be   granted   to   those   Ph.D.   degree   holders   who have   obtained   Ph.D.   degree   in   accordance   with the Regulations 2009 of UGC (Minimum Standards and   Procedure).   The   purpose   and   object   of   the above   amendments   in   both   Regulations   2009   of UGC   (Minimum   Standards   and   Procedure)   as   well as  Regulations   2009   of   UGC   (Minimum Qualifications   for   Appointment)   is   not   far   to seek.   There   has   been   challenge   to   amendments made   in   Regulations   2009   of   UGC   (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment)in so far as it denied   the   benefit   to   Ph.D   degree   holders   who had   obtained   Ph.D   prior   to   11.7.2009.     Writ Petitions   were   filed   in   different   High   Courts challenging   the   regulations   on   different grounds   including   that   regulations   are arbitrary   and   violative   of   Article   14   which discriminate the Ph.D. degree holders who have obtained   Ph.D.   degree   prior   to   11.7.2009   and those   who   obtained   the   degree   after   11.7.2009 in   accordance   with  Regulations   2009   of   UGC   on Minimum Standards and Procedure.

This   Court   decided   all   the   appeals   by   its judgment   reported   in  P.   Susheela   and   Others versus University Grants Commission and Others, (2015)   8   SCC   129.  This   Court   upheld   the judgment   of   the   High   Courts   of   Rajasthan, Madras and Delhi and set aside the judgment of the   Allahabad   High   Court   dated   6.4.2012, upholding   that   the   amendments   made   in Regulations   2009   of   UGC(Minimum   Qualifications for   Appointment)   were   valid   and   there   is   a valid classification between the candidates who have obtained degree prior to Regulations 2009 of   UGC   (Minimum   Standards   and   Procedure)   and those   who   obtained   the   degree   in   accordance with the above­said regulation.

precedes the word "compulsory" and it is   clear   that   the   language   of   the direction   has   been   followed   both   in letter   and   in   spirit   by   the   UGC regulations of 2009 and 2010.

18.   The   arguments   based   on Article 14 equally have to be rejected. It is clear   that   the   object   of   the directions   of   the   Central   Government read   with   the   UGC   Regulations   of 2009/2010   are   to   maintain   excellence in   standards   of   higher   education. Keeping this object in mind, a minimum eligibility   condition   of   passing   the national   eligibility   test   is   laid down.   True,   there   may   have   been exemptions   laid   down   by   UGC   in   the past,   but   the   Central   Government   now as a matter of policy feels that any exemption   would   compromise   the excellence   of   teaching   standards   in universities/   colleges/institutions governed by the UGC. Obviously, there is nothing arbitrary or discriminatory in   this   ­   in   fact   it   is   a   core function   of   UGC   to   see   that   such standards do not get diluted.”

20. Thus, from the above judgment, it is clear that   NET   qualification   is   now   minimum qualification   for   appointment   of   Lecturer   and exemption   granted   to   M.Phil.   degree   holders have   been   withdrawn   and   exemption   is   allowed only   to   those   Ph.D.   degree   holders   who   have obtained   the   Ph.D.   degree   in   accordance   with 11.7.2009 regulations, namely, Regulations 2009 of   UGC   (Minimum   Standards   and   Procedure). Although,   this   aspect   has   not   been   noticed   by the   High   Court   but   since   the   learned   Single Judge   has   directed   the   consideration   of   the case   of   the   writ   petitioner   on   the   basis   of M.Phil.   degree   which   was   obtained   by   them   by distance   education   mode   prior   to   2009,   it   is necessary   that   their   eligibility   for   the   post be   examined   taking   into   consideration   the Regulations 2009 of UGC (Minimum Qualifications for   Appointment).   The   advertisement   and selection   for   Guest   Lecturers   having   been conducted   in   the   year   2012   when   both   the Regulations 2009 of UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure) and  Regulations 2009 of UGC(Minimum Qualifications   for   Appointment)   were applicable.