Case Note & Summary
The petitioner, Samarth Rural Educational Institute, running Samarth Group of Institution Faculty of Engineering, sought a writ of mandamus against the State of Maharashtra and the Director of Technical Education to include their college in the centralized admission process for the academic year 2011-2012. The petitioner had applied to AICTE for approval to start a Mechanical Engineering course before the extended deadline of 15 April 2011. AICTE granted approval on 14 July 2011. However, the Director of Technical Education did not accept the petitioner's request to include the college in the list of AICTE-approved institutions for centralized admission. The petitioner approached the High Court seeking directions to the State and the Director to issue government resolutions approving the college, publish the same in the Government Gazette, include the college in the centralized admission procedure for 60 seats in Mechanical Engineering, and display the college name on the website. The court noted that the facts were similar to another writ petition (WP No.5455 of 2011). The court held that since AICTE had granted approval, the State authorities were bound to give effect to it. The court directed the Director of Technical Education to include the petitioner's college in the list of institutions approved by AICTE for centralized admission for the academic year 2011-2012 and to display the name on the website. The petition was disposed of accordingly.
Headnote
A) Education Law - Technical Education - AICTE Approval - Binding Effect - AICTE granted approval to the petitioner college for Mechanical Engineering course - The Director of Technical Education refused to include the college in the centralized admission process - Held that once AICTE grants approval, the State authorities are bound to give effect to it and include the college in the admission process (Paras 1-4).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the Director of Technical Education is bound to include a college in the centralized admission process after AICTE has granted approval for the course.
Final Decision
The court directed the Director of Technical Education to include the petitioner's college in the list of institutions approved by AICTE for centralized admission for the academic year 2011-2012 and to display the name on the website. The petition was disposed of.
Law Points
- AICTE approval is binding on State for inclusion in centralized admission
- Director of Technical Education must act on AICTE approval
- Writ of mandamus for implementation of statutory approval
