New Delhi: The long-running dispute between the Kerala Governor and the state government over Vice-Chancellor appointments has reached a resolution, with both parties agreeing to allow Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr Saji Gopinath to continue in their respective positions.

A settlement agreement signed between representatives of the Chancellor and the Kerala government has been submitted to the Supreme Court. The agreement resolves the standing disputes regarding leadership appointments at the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology.

Under the terms of the settlement, Dr Ciza Thomas will remain Vice-Chancellor of Technological University, while Dr Saji Gopinath will continue as Vice-Chancellor of Digital University.

Key provisions of the settlement
 

The agreement was executed on August 17, 2026, under the mediation of the Secretary of the Thiruvananthapuram District Legal Services Authority. It was signed by Ashwathy P, Deputy Secretary in the Governor's Secretariat (representing the Chancellor), and S Sunil Kumar, Joint Secretary in the Higher Education Department (representing the state government).

The settlement outlines two principal terms.

  • Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr Saji Gopinath will maintain their Vice-Chancellor positions at their respective universities.
  • The Kerala government has committed to amending university laws to align with UGC regulations.

In addition, the agreement specifies that the broader legal issues and arguments raised during the proceedings will remain open for future consideration.

Supreme Court disposes of petition

Following confirmation from both the Chancellor and the state government that the settlement terms had been accepted, the Supreme Court disposed of the Chancellor's petition regarding the appointments. The petition was concluded by a bench comprising Justice Aravind Kumar and Justice Vipin Pancholi during a special Lok Adalat session.

The Chancellor had previously issued notifications appointing Dr Ciza Thomas and Dr Saji Gopinath from a panel compiled by a search committee led by Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, which was constituted under Supreme Court directions.

Although an understanding had been reached between the Chancellor and the Pinarayi Vijayan-led administration, the formal case had remained pending before a bench headed by Justice Pardiwala. The newly executed agreement formally resolves the immediate conflict over these leadership positions while reserving broader legal questions.