As per the case facts, the appellants challenged a High Court judgment that upheld the selections for Assistant Professors and Librarians in Government Degree colleges of Punjab. The State had ... sent requisitions for recruitment, but the process was challenged during its pendency, with appointments subject to court orders. The appeal to the Supreme Court questioned the legality of the recruitment process due to alleged departures from standard norms and avoidance of the Public Service Commission. The question arose whether the recruitment process for Assistant Professors and Librarians in Punjab Government colleges, which deviated from UGC Regulations and avoided the Public Service Commission, was legal and justified. Finally, the Supreme Court allowed the appeals, setting aside the High Court's order and quashing the entire recruitment process. The Court found that the State failed to justify its departure from standard recruitment norms and for not adopting the UGC Regulations, which prevail as they are made under the UGC Act (a central law). The Court directed the State to initiate a new recruitment process as per the 2018 UGC Regulations, acknowledging the hardship to selected candidates but noting no equity in their favor as the challenge was made during the process and appointments were subject to court orders.