Case Note & Summary
The petitioner, Dattakala Shikshan Sanstha's Dattakala Group of Institution, Faculty of Engineering, filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court seeking directions to the State of Maharashtra and the Director of Technical Education (DTE) to include their college in the centralized admission process for the academic year 2011-2012. The petitioner had applied to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for approval to start an Automobile Engineering course before the extended deadline of 15 April 2011. AICTE granted approval on 14 July 2011. However, the DTE refused to include the college in the list of institutions approved by AICTE for centralized admission. The petitioner also had an affiliation application pending with the University of Pune. The court, relying on the similarity of facts with another writ petition (WP No.5455 of 2011), directed the respondents to include the petitioner's college in the centralized admission process and issue necessary government resolutions. The court also directed the University of Pune to process the affiliation application expeditiously. The petition was disposed of with these directions.
Headnote
A) Education Law - Technical Education - AICTE Approval - Centralized Admission - The petitioner college applied for AICTE approval for Automobile Engineering course before the extended deadline of 15 April 2011. AICTE granted approval on 14 July 2011, but the Director of Technical Education refused to include the college in the centralized admission process for the academic year 2011-2012. The court held that once AICTE grants approval, the State and DTE must include the college in the centralized admission process and issue necessary government resolutions. (Paras 1-4)
Issue of Consideration
Whether the Director of Technical Education can refuse to include a college in the centralized admission process after AICTE has granted approval for the course.
Final Decision
The petition is allowed. Respondents are directed to include the petitioner's college in the centralized admission process for B.E. Automobile Engineering course for academic year 2011-2012 and issue necessary government resolutions. University of Pune to process affiliation application expeditiously.
Law Points
- AICTE approval is a prerequisite for inclusion in centralized admission process
- State cannot refuse to include college once AICTE approval is granted
- Director of Technical Education must act on AICTE approval promptly
