Harmonious Construction of Central Statutory Mandates and State Powers

In interpreting statutory instruments enacted by central regulatory bodies alongside State recruitment rules, courts must adopt the principle of harmonious construction. The AICTE Act empowers the central council to ensure uniform educational standards, service conditions, and academic excellence across technical institutions nationally. However, this statutory power does not automatically divest State Governments of their constitutional and statutory authority to recruit staff for State-run colleges under local recruitment rules. Central regulations governing career advancement and State rules governing direct open entry must be interpreted so that both can operate in their respective spheres without unnecessary collision. Conflict arises only when there is an irreconcilable overlap in the exact same field of operation between central and State prescriptions. Where central regulations address post-appointment progression and State rules address initial recruitment, both co-exist harmoniously. Courts must avoid creating artificial conflicts between central educational standards and State administrative hiring machinery. (Gujarat Public Service Commission v. Gnaneshwary Dushyantkumar Shah & Ors. | 2026 INSC 70)