THE UNIVERSITY OF COCHIN vs DR. N. RAMAN NAIR & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that Section 6(2) of the Cochin University Act, 1971 mandates the University to follow the rotation rule as per Rule 14 of the Kerala State Subordinate Service Rules for appointments. The Court clarified that the rule of rotation must be applied based on the order of vacancies as they occur, and the University cannot amend substantial provisions of the rules. The High Court's decision to uphold the appointment of the first-ranked candidate was affirmed, emphasizing that the first vacancy must be filled through open competition as per the rotation principle.