Compilation Vol 3 Corrected (1-943).pmd - Goa Public Service ...

3. The case of the Applicant is that the M.A. Degree obtained by him as External Candidate
from Mysore University is in no way inferior to the M.A. Degree obtained by regular candidates and,
hence, the M.A. Degree obtained by him is also a Degree.
4. On the other hand, the stand of the KPSC is that the M.A. Degree obtained by the Applicant
without passing Bachelor’s Degree is not equivalent to the Bachelor’s Degree prescribed for the post
under the relevant Rules. The Government has not notified the M.A. Degree obtained by the Applicant
as equivalent to Bachelor’s Degree prescribed for the post. It is further contended on behalf of the
KPSC that in the absence of a Notification or declaration by the Government as to equivalence of
qualification, the M.A. Degree obtained by the Applicant without passing the Bachelor’s Degree
cannot be said to be equivalent to the qualification prescribed for the post and, hence, the rejection of
the candidature by the KPSC does not call for any interference.
5. The short but interesting point that arises for consideration is “whether the M.A. Degree
obtained by the Applicant without passing Bachelor’s Degree is equivalent to the Bachelor’s Degree
prescribed for the post of First Division Assistant?”
6. The Applicant passed SSLC in the year 1982. Thereafter, he completed Pre-University Course
during 1984. He also completed Diploma in Journalism during 1992. Subsequently, in the year 1994-
95 he appeared for the M.A. Examination through Correspondence Course from Mysore University
and passed the same.
Karnataka PSC
7. Normally a student cannot enroll for a Master’s degree course unless he has a basic Bachelor’s
degree in the chosen subject. The distinction between a formal system and an informal system is in the
mode and manner in which education is imparted. The alternative system envisaged under the Open
University Act was in substitution of the formal but not as regards the manner of ensuring the standard
of education. The University Grants Commission Act (for short, ‘UGC Act’) was enacted for effectuating
coordination and determination of standards in universities. The provisions of the UGC Act are
binding on all Universities whether conventional or open. They apply equally to Open Universities as
also to formal conventional Universities. In the matter of higher education, it is necessary to maintain
minimum standards of instructions and such minimum standards are required to be defined by the
UGC. The purport and object for which the UGC Act was enacted must be given full effect. Recently,
in the case of ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY v. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
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