Sudhir Narain, J. - (1.) The petitioner has sought a writ of mandamus commanding the University of Allahabad (Respondent No. 1) to re-advertise the post of Professor in Socio-Economic History of Ancient India and restrain the University from proceeding to hold selection scheduled to be held on 27-2-1993. The University of Allahabad (hereinafter referred to as the University) issued an advertisement in the year 1991 for four posts of Professor in Ancient History and Archaeology. The advertisement indicated that for one post of Professor in Ancient History preference will be given to those having specialisation in Socio-Economic History. The Selection process to the post of Professor in Ancient History started and 17th of February, 1993 was fixed for interview by the Selection Committee.
(2.) The petitioner has approached this Out challenging the selection process on the ground that the selection was going to take place on the basis of advertisement issued in the year 1991 which is incorrect ai not in accordance with the requirements of the directions issued by the University Grants Commission.
(3.) The brief facts necessary to decided the controversy are that prior to the year 1955 there was a department of History in the University which included the department of Medieval History. Later on this department was broken into three parts, namely, Ancient History, Medieval History and Modern History. When the department was made into three parts, separate department of Ancient History, Cultural and Archaeology was established. In the year 1977 the University Grants Commission decided to give assistance under the programs of "special assistance" to the department of Ancient History, Culture a Archaeology and accordingly one post each of Professor, Reader a Lecturer were created for Socio-Economic History of Ancient India that department. The University Grants Commission issued a letter 18th July, 1977 to the Registrar of University of Allahabad informing t assistance to the department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, University of Allahabad, will be available under the programme "special Assistance" on the terms and conditions as intimated to University vide its office letter dated 27th October, 1976 It provided assistance as under:- Professors - Two (one of the two is for Socio-Economic History of Ancient India) Readers - Three (one for prehistory, one for Socio-Economic History and one for comparative history of religion) It is admitted that similarly one post of Lecturer for Socio-Economic History of Ancient India also came under the "special assistance programme" of the University Grants Commission.;