Varun Saini & ORS. Versus Guru Gobi Nd Singh Indraprashtha University

[2014] 14 S.C.R. 364 VARUN SAINI & ORS;

v.'

GURU GOBI ND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA UNIVERSITY (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 853 of 2014) OCTOBER 16, 2014 [DIPAK MISRA AND UDAY UMESH LALIT, JJ.] Education/Educational Institutions:

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c All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987 - Technical courses - Counseling and admission by authorities of the University - Adherence of schedule pertaining to approval by All India Council for Technical Education - Notification by the University to provide a fresh round of counseling (supplementary counseling) after the cutoff date - Challenged to, upto Supreme Court- Subsequently Notification withdrawn - Thereafter, writ petition filed seeking extension of time schedule which would give rise to conducting of another round of counseling- Held: Weighing E the issue on the scales of larger public interest in the facts of ·case and the relief sought, the solution offered by the University accepted as that would subserve the cause of justice - Certain directions issued as regards counseling and admission.

Disposing of the Writ Petitions, the Court HELD: 1.1 Weighing the issue on the scales of larger public interest in the obtaining factual matrix, the relief sought and the plausible solution offered by the · University can be accepted as that would subserve the G cause of justice. In these courses, the university can keep the pace. Such an agonizing situation inviting national waste could have been avoided had AICTE and the University would have been more careful, cautious and circumspect. However, to do complete justice,

VAR UN SAINI v. GURU GOBI ND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 365 UNIVERSITY certain directions have been issued in the larger public A interest and ultimately subserve the cause of justice.[Para 24, 25, 26][388-F-G; 389-B, D] 1.2 It was submitted that the problem occurs every year, for despite llays for counselling are .fixed, adequate number of students are not called for counselling, as a 8 result of which, many students who have cleared the CET do not get an opportunity to undertake the counselling and eventually the admission does not take place. It is in the sphere of university administration. But when the problem is recurrent, the University is told to C hold counselling in such a manner within the stipulated time in the schedule so that all the seats are filled up if there are eligible candidates for such counselling.

The University cannot behave like an alien to the national interest. It is imperative to state, a_concerted effort has D to be made by the AICTE and the University to avoid recurrence of this kind of piquant and agonising situations. Perceived from any perspective, it does not augur a healthy situation. Had the AICTE functioned within the time frame in respect of the process the matter E would not have given rise to such a situation. Similarly, had the University conducted the counselling with utmost responsibility ~eeping .in view the number of seats that were available in the approved institutions and the number of students that have qualified in the F Common Entrance Test, possibly the gravi\yl <)f. the problem would have been less. [Para 27][p9-D-G; 390-B-D] 1.

3 In a State of good governance, a problem is taken note of so that appropriate and timely steps are G taken to avoid any recurrence. The authorities who are incharge of giving approval, preparing syllabus, imparting education and carrying, on such other activities, are required to behave with responsibility. Lack of concern is only indicative of the beginning of destruction.

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A cannot be allowed to occur ... Therefore, the AICTE and the University are cautioned to see to it that things are done on time following the fixed time schedule. Time is extended for carrying out the on-line counselling till 21 •• of October, 2014. The students who hav.e already taken B admission in colleges shall not be permitted to participate in the supplementary counselling, and the' students who are attending classes in any institution without the counseling shall be deemed not to have been admitted and, therefore; they will be eligible to participate c · in the on lin'e counseling. The students those are selected-for admission "and allotted'to the respective colleges on merits'siiall take admission forthwith. The · · · r ~ i r students after being allotted to a particular college shall ·r ~ ..

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, be put in a separate Section as they shall be required to o attend extra-working classes. The educational institutions have to seriously impart education with the help and aid of teachers,· if necessary, by· providing adequate means and facili~tion for the teachers·. The University shall constitute a team to see Whether classes E are held or not. Unless a' student gets the· requisite attendance of 75% on the basis of the computation held, regard being had to the entire teaching' days, he shall not be permitted to appear in the examination. The time schedule originally fixed in Parshavnath Charitable Trt}St F case shall remain in force and be religiously followed in '

the subsequent years: [Paras 28, 29][390-E-G; 391-B-H] '

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Parshvanath Charitable Trust v. All India Council for Technical Education 2012 (11) SCR 1057 :

(2013) 3 SCC 385; Association of Management of Private Colleges v. All India Council for Technical Education and others (2013) 8 SCC 271; Bharathidasan University v. All India Council for Technical Education 2001 (3 ) Suppl.

SCR 253 : (2001\ 8 sec 676; T.M. Pai

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 367 UNIVERSITY Foundation v. State of Karnataka 2002 (3) Suppl. SCR 587 : (2002) 8 SCC 481 • referred to.

Case Law Reference:

2012 (11) SCR 1057 referred to Para 3 (2013) 8 sec 211 referred to Para 7 2001 (3) Suppl. SCR 253 referred to Para 7 2002 (3) Suppl. SCR 587 referred to Para·7 CIVIL ORIGINAL JURISDICTION: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 853 of 2014.

Under Article 32 of the Constitution of India. WITH Writ Petition (C) Nos. 854, 855, 857, 883, 867, 884 of 0 2014.

Mukul Rohatgi, AG, C.A. Sundaram, Gop~I Jain, Amit Sibal, Parag Tripathi, Ravi Sikri, Sr. Advs., Ravikiesh K. Sinha, Rakesh Sinha, Abhijat P. Medh, Mohit Chadha, Anil Kumar Tandale, San jay Sharawat, Ratish Kumar, M.M.S. Attri, Divya Roy, Vaibhav Kalra, Ms. Sumedha Dang, Ms. Mahima Gupta, Anish Chawla, Ms. Ranjeeta Rohatgi, Amitesh Kumar, Ms. N. Annapoorani, Advs with them for the appearing parties. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by DIPAK MISRA, J. 1. Education is the spine of any F civilised society. Formal education has its own significance, for it depends upon systemic imparting of learning regard being had to the syllabus prescribed for the course and further allowing space for cultivation by individual endeavour. The G sacrosanctity of formal education gains more importance in the field of technical studies because theory, practical training and application in the field cumulatively operate to make a student an asset to the country and, in a way, enables him to achieve excellence as contemplated under Article 51Aofthe H

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A Constitution. The natural corollary, in the ultimate eventuate, is the acceleration of the' growth of the nation. Bu( a pregnant ·one, when an attitude of apathy or lackadaisical propensity or proclivity of procrastination of the statutory authorities creeps in as a consequence of which the time schedule' meant for B approval of the educational institutions and commencement · of the courses is not adhered to, a feeling of devouring darkness seems to.reign supreme as if ''things fall apart". There is a feeling of discomfiture - how to' find out a sol vat ion to the agonizing problem in exercise of the jurisdiction under Article C 32 of the Constitution .of India, for there are some compelling r~asons to do so to protect the nationai interest as well as not to scuttle the aspirations of young students or to comatose their hopes stating .that all cannot be well in the State of Denmark .

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and there should not be a Sisyphean endeavour. We are o ' constrained to commence with such a prologue as the present batch of writ petitions pertains to counselling and admission in certain categories of courses which are approved and controlled from many a spectrum regard being had to the sustenance of standard in education by the.All India Council E for Technical Education (for brevity, "AICTE"), and also some categories of courses which are directly governed by the statutes and regulations ofthe University, namely, Guru Gobind · Singh lndraprastha University (hereinafter referred to as "the University") in the backdrop of extension of time schedule fixed F by this Court in respect of technical courses. _ 2.

The controversy involved in this batch of cases has a past, which requires to be exposited with requisite respect for chronology. We have already indicated at the beginning that in all these cases, we are concerned with the a_dherence to . G schedule pertaining to approval by AICTE, counselling and admission by the authorities of the University. That being the centripodal issue, our advertence shall remain restricted to the said arena. At this juncture, we·may state that at the appropriate stage, we shall refer to some necessitous facts· H from W.P.(C) No. 853/2014.

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 369 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.]

3. We are pbligated to sit in a time machine to appreciate A how the schedule was fixed by the AICTE under the All India CouncilforTechnical EducatioriAct, 1987 (for brevity, "the 1987 - Act) and the Regulations framed thereunder and how the said . schedule was appositely re-fixed by this Court inParshvanath Charitable Trust Vs. All India Council for Technical B Education'. In the said decision, a two-Judge Bench scanning the anatomy of the 1987 Act, observed thus:

"17. The provisions ofthe All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987 (for short 'the AICTE Act') are intended to improve the technical education system C throughout the country. The various authorities under the AICTE Act have been given exclusive responsibility to coordinate and determine the standards. of higher education. It is a general power given to evaluate, . harmonise and secure proper' relationship to any project D of national importance. Such coordinated action in higher education with proper standard is of pararriount importance to the national progress.

18. The provisions of the AICTE Act, including its E Preamble, make it abundantly clearthatAICTE has been established under the Act for coordinated and integrated development of the technical education system at all levels throughout the country and is enjoined to promote qualitative improvement of such education in relation to planned quantitative growth. The AICTE is required to regulate and ensure proper maintenance of norms and standards in technical education system. AICTE is to further evolve suitable performance appraisal system for technical institutions and universities incorporating norms G and mechanisms in enforcing their accountability. It is required to provide guidelines for admission of students and has the power to withhold or discontinue grants to such technical institutions where norms and standards 1 (2013) 3 sec 385

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laid down by it and directions given by it from time to time are not followed. The duty and responsibility cast on AICTE implies that the norms and standards to be. set should be such as would prevent isolated development of education in the count,Y.

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19. Section 10 of the AICTE Act enumerates various powers and functions of AICTE as also its duties and obligations to take steps towards fulfilment of the same.· One such power as envisaged in Section 1 O(k) is to c "grant approval for starting new technical institutions and for introduction of new courses or programmes in consultation with the agencies concerned".

It is important to see thatAICTE is empowered to inspect or cause to inspei::t.anytechnical institution in clause (p)) of Section 10 without any reservation whatsoever. However, when it comes to the question of universities, it is confined and limited to ascertaining the financial needs or its standards of teaching, examination and research. The inspection may be made or caused to be made of any department or departments only ard that too, in such manner as may be prescribed, as envisaged in Section 11 of,theAICTEAct. _

20. All these vitally important aspects go to show that the Council (AICTE) created under the AICTE Act is not intended to be· an authority either superior to or to supervise and control .the universities and thereby superimpose itself upo.fi such universities merely for the reason that they are imparting teaching in technical education or programmes in any of their departments or units. A careful scanning of th~ provisions of the AICTE Act and the provisions of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.in juxtaposition, will show that the role of AICTE vis-a-vis' the universities is only advisory, recommendatory and one of providing guidance, thereby

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA . 371 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.) subserving the cause of maintaining appropriate A standards and qualitative norms and not as an authority empowered to issue and enforce any sanctions by itself. · Reference can be made to the judgments of this Court in · the case of Adarsh Shiksha Mahavidyalaya v. Subhash Rahangdale [(2012) 2 SCC 425), State of Tamil Nadu B .v. Adhiyaman Educational & Research Institute [(1995) 4 SCC 104) and Bharathidasan University v. Al/ India Council for Technical Education[(2001) 8 SCC 676)."

4. The Court referred to various other facets and adverted to All India Council For Technical Education (Grant of Approval C for Starting New Technical Institutions, Introduction of Courses or Programmes and Approval of Intake Capacity of Seats for the Courses or Programmes) Regulations, 1994 and noted the Schedule to said Regulations which read as under:- - .

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- --- SI.

Stage of μ-ocessing ai:plication Last date t-.b.

by which • the .

processing should be complete:!.

(1) (2) (3) 1.

For receivirg proposals by Bureau RC December 2.

For Bureau RC to screen the application and (a) to return the incompete applications to the applicarts, and (b) to forward the applications to (i) State Government .

concerned (ii) University or State Board concerned, for their comments QiO Regional Officer to a-range \Asits by Expert Committees, and (iv) .

BLreaus MPCD, BOS and RA for their comments

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[2014] 14 S.C.R.

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15111 March For receiving the comments from (I) the State Government (ii) the Universtty or the State Board, and (iiO the Regional .

committee based ·on the Expert Commtttee's report, and (iv) from the Bureaus MPCD, BOS and RA .

,B 51 March 4.

For consideration 'of the comments from the State Governments, Universtties or State Boards, Regional Committees, and Bureaus of the Council by the State level Committee 5.

For recommendations to be made by the Central Task Force 6.

For communicating the final • 30 111 April decision io the State Government or the University Grants Commission, under intimation to the Regional Office, Director of Technical Education, applicant, University or State Board

5. After reproducing the schedule, the Court ruled that adherence to the same is mandatory and not directory, for nonadherence of the schedule can result in serious consequences and can jeopardise not only the interest of the college students G but also the maintenance of proper standards of technical education. It further observed that the authorities concerned, particularly AICTE should ensure proper and timely action upon the application submitted to it and it must respond to the applicant within a reasonable time period and should not allow

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 373 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] ·· the matter to be dragged till the final date giving rise to A avoidable peculiarities by all stakeholders. After so stating, the Court also took note of.the act that there seem to be some variation in the schedule issued under Regulation 8(15) and the duties reflected in the Handbook. After noticing that, the two-Judge Bench opined that the admission schedule should be declared once and for all rather than making it a yearly declaration. Emphasis was laid on the consistency and smoothness in admission process.

It has also been stated that there has to be a fixed and unaltered time schedule for admission to the colleges so that the students know with C certainty and well in advance the admission schedule that is to be followed and on the basis of which they can exercise their choice relating to college or the course. The Court referred to the schedule that was submitted before it for admission for the academic year 2013-2014. Eventually, the D Court fixed an appropriate schedule which is as follows: "The appropriate Schedule, thus, would be as follows: - . ·- -- ----- --- - . -· - Event Schedue Conduct of entranoe In tl"e month of May exam ration (Al EEE/State · CET/Maragarent quota exarrs, ac.)

D:!claration d result of ·ai or before 5" June qualifying exanin1iion (1Zh exam or similar) and entranoe examiration 1st round d counselling/ To be completed oo or a:lrrission for alctment of befcre 30th July seats t'" rourd of counsellirg fer To be completed CJl or alctment d seats befcre 1 oth July · U3st rourd of counsellirg To be completed CJl or for anotment of seats · befcre 20th Juy

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Last date for admitting 30th JL.ly candidates in seats other Hcwever, any number of than alldted above rounds fer counsernng tould be conducted dependng oo local requi rernerits, bli all the '. I rounds shall be completed .

before '3Jth July Commencement of academic 1" August session Last date up to v.hich 15th August studerits can be admitted against vacancies arising due to any reason (no studerit shwld be admitted in any instltliion after the last date under any quota) c· Last date r:i granting Cf 101h April refusing approval byAICTE Last date ri granting Cf 15m May refusing approval t:ly< · University/state Government After fixing the schedule, the Court thought it appropriate to rule that:

"42. The admission to academic courses should start, as proposed, by 1st August of the relevant year. The seats remaining vacant should again be duly notified and advertised. All seats should be filled positively by 15th August after which there shall be no admission, whatever be the reason or ground.

43. We find that the above Schedule is in conformity with the affiliation/recognition schedule aforenoticed. They both can co-exist. Thus, we approve these admission dates and declare it to be the law which shall be strictly adhered to by all conc~rned and none of the authorities shall have the power or jurisdiction to vary these dates of

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 375 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] admission. Certainty in this field is bound to serve the A ends of fair, transparent and judicious method of grant of admission and commencement of the technical courses. Any variation is bound to adversely affect the maintenance of higher standards of education and systemic and proper completion of courses."

7. At this stage, it is seemly to refer to a subsequent decision in Association of Management of Private Colleges Vs. All India Council for Technical Education and others2. In the said decision, certain educational institutions, being aggrieved by an order passed by the High Court of Judicature C of Madras, had approached this Court on the foundation that the High Court had erroneously interpreted the 1987 Act, for the High Court had opined that the University is not required to take permission from AICTE, but its affiliated colleges are required to do so. The High Court has further ruled that the D appellant colleges therein should get their course of MCA ratified by AICTE as per the prescribed format, which according to the appellants, was in contravention of the settled.

principles of interpretation of statutes as stated in Bharathidasan ()niversity II. All India Council for Technical Education3. The two-Judge Bench referred to Parshvanath Charitable Trust( supra), T.M. Pai Foundation II. State of Karnataka4, the definition of 'technical education' and 'technical institution' in the dictionary clause of the Act and certain provisions of University Grants Commission Act, 1956, the Regulations framed under the said Act and came to hold as follows: "52.

. ...... the AICTE Act does not intend to be an · authority either superior or to supervise or control the univ~rsities and thereby superimpose itself upon the said G universities merely for the reason that it is laying down certain teaching standards in technical education or programmes formulated in any of the department or units. 2 (2013) s sec 211 '(2001) B sec 676 '(2002) s sec 481

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It is evident that while enacting theAICTEAct, Parliament was fully alive to the existence of the provisions of the UGC Act, 1956 particularly, the said provisions extracted above. Therefore, the definition of "technical institution" in Section 2(h) oftheAICTEActwhich authorizes AICTE to do certain things, special care has consciously and ·. deliberately been taken to make specific mention of university, wherever and whenever AICTE alone was expected to interact with a university and its departments as well as constituent institutions and units. It was held after analyzing the provisio"n of Sections 10, 11 and 12 of the AICTEAct that the role of the inspection conferred upon the AICTE vis-a-vis univer.

sities is limited to the purpose of ensuring proper maintenance of norms and standards in the technical education system so as to conform to the standard laid down by it with no further or direct control over such .universities or scope for any direct action except bringing it to the notice of UGC. In that background, this Court in Bharathidasan University case made it very clear by making the observation that it has examined the scope of the enactment as to whether theAICTE Act prevails over the UGCAct or the fact.of competent entries fall in Entry 66 List I vis-a-vis Entry 25. of List Ill of the VII Schedule of the Constitution.

53. A cumulative reading of the aforesaid paragraphs of Bharathidasan University case which are extracted above makes it verY clear that this Court has exempted universities, its colleges, constituent institutions and units from seeking prior approval from AICTE. Also, from the reading of paragraphs 19 and 20 of Parashvanath Chartitable Trust case it is made clear after careful scanning of the provisions of the AICTE Act and the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 that the role of AICTE vis-a-vis universities is only advisory, recommendatory and one of providing guidance and has

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 377 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.) no authority empowering it to issue or enforce any A sanctions by itself."

8. After the aforesaid judgment was delivered, a writ petition No. 895/2013 was filed which was taken up on 24.3.2014 wherein the Court passed the following order: "Rule nisi.

Having regard to the important issue involved in the Writ Petition, we think that it will be appropriate if the matter is heard by a Bench of three Judges.

The matter may be listed accordingly within six C months from today."

9. In SLP(C) No. 7277/2014, on 17.4.2014, the following order came to be passed:

"In the counter affidavit filed on behalf of D respondent No.1, i.e., All India Council for Technical ·Education (AICTE), it is stated that Approval Process Handbook (2013-14) is presently in force and the same has been extended and made applicable for the Academic Year2014-15 as well.

AICTE shall now proceed in accordance with the Approval Process Handbook for the Academic Year 2014-15 insofar as the members of the petitioner Association and all colleges and institutions situated similarly to the members of the petitioner Association _ are concerned and necessary orders shall be issued by AICTE within ten days.

Prayer for interim relief is ordered accordingly."

10. In SLP(C) No. 7277/14, IA No. 2-3/2014 were filed. In the said applications, on 09.05.2014, a four-Judge bench, passed the following order:

"The order dated 17.4.2014 passed by this Court is clarified and it is.directed that prior approval of All India H

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Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is compulsory and mandatory for conduct of a technical course including the MBA/Management course by an existing affiliated Technical College and also new Technical College which will require affiliation by a University for conduct of its Technical Courses/Programmes for the academic year 2014-15.

The time given in the order dated 17.4.2014 is extended by 10.6.2014.

c IA Nos. 2 & 3 of 2014 stand disposed of as above."

11. Thereafter, a bunch of writ petitions and I.A. No.6 in SLP(C) No. 7277/2014 were filed. The Court referred to the schedule in Parshvanath Charitable Trust (supra) and taking note of the stand oftheAICTE, directed as follows: "In the application, the AICTE has averred that it has received 7280 applications from existing technical institutions in the country, of which 6751 applications have been processed already and the remaining 529 applications are pending consideration as on 4th June, 2014. Since the exercise was of this magnitude, all applications could not be processed so as to comprehensively respond to the directions of this Court, reproduced above. Mr. L. Nageswara Rao, learned Additional Solicitor General, states that if time is extended by one week, all the remaining applications shall also be processed by AICTE. The prayer in the Writ Petitions is substantially the same since the stand of the AICTE is that although, after due consideration, EOA for Academic year 2014-15 is recommended, because of the deadline given by this Court, the approval cannot be granted.

There can be no gainsaying that every eligible student/ candidate desirous of participating in further

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 379 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] education, especially where resources and institutions A are available, should be accommodated so long as academic standards are not undermined.

We are satisfied that if the respondent - AICTE is granted seven more days within which to decide all pending applications, these overriding interests shall be addressed. It is in these circumstances that we modify previous orders in the following manner:

The AICTE is granted seven days within which to take a decision on all the applications pending before it. c It shall first take up the applications in which it has already expressed willingness to grant approvals, but have not done so in deference of the Orders of this Court. Thereafter, the concerned Universities/State Authorities/ Bodies which have the powers of granting affiliation shall 0 take a decision on that subject within one week. It is for these reasons that the first round of counselling/ admission for allotment of seats which was to be completed by 30th June, 2014 will now be completed by 15th July, 2014. The second round of counselling shall be completed by 22nd July, 2014 and the last round of counselling shall be completed by 29th July, 2014. In this manner, the date of commencement of the Academic Session, as laid down by this Court above, shall not be disturbed.

It is made clear that all the Colleges who have been cleared for intake of students for the Academic Year 2014-2015, as envisaged in the process above, shall be cleared and considered for admitting students for the current Academic Year. Learned Senior Counsel G appearing for the petitioners in some of the Writ Petitions apprehends that the respondents may adhere to Annexure P-7. We think that that would not be appropriate in view of the orders contained herein."

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12. In spite of the aforesaid order, the grievance, as submitted by Mr. Mukul Rohtagi, learned Attorney General for Union of India appearing on behalf of AICTE as well as for the University still subsisted. In SLP(C) No, 21901/20.14, a two-. Judge Bench, appreciating the core fact that the concerned institution had been granted approval way back in 2011 and struggling to commence the first academic session, directed as follows:- " ... We find it appropriate to direct the. respondents to allow the petitioner to commence the academic session within one week from today by adhering to the different steps laid down by this Court. The counselling shall be conducted on the basis of the merit list prepared by the concerned competent authority, for which a Notification ·shall positively be issued by tomorrow i.e. 14.08.2014. c The students who have already been admitted to other institutions, will not have the option to seek admission in the petitioner-institution.

The counselling process, in terms of the directions issued by this Court shall be completed by 19.08.2014, and the admissions shall be finalised under all circumstances by20.08.2014."

13. Further substantiating the reason, the Court observed: "The reason for us to extend the schedule expressed by this Court in its earlier orders, is based on the fact, that·. the institution in question i.e. the petitioner before this Court had· assailed the action of the Anna University be10Fe the High Court by filing a writ petition as far back in 2013. It is only beca~se, the judicial process extended up to 21.07.2014 (when the impugned order was passed) that the deadlines have been crossed. The last date for finalising admissions has yet not crossed. The denial of commencement of the academic session would cause extensive financial loss to the petitioner, despite

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 38.1. UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] the fulfilment of all essential norms. It is in these peculiar A circumstances that the instant order has been passed."

14. As the chronology of events would further uncurtain IA No. 46/2014 was filed in Parshvanath Charitable Trust (supra) for extension of time and the Court, on 11.08.2014, while dealing with the Schedule in respect of the State of Andhra B Pradesh and Telangana, directed as follows: "ii "Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and taking into consideration the fact that State ofTelangana has been created recently on 2.6.2014 and both the c States i.e. newly created State ofTelangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh may face some difficulty to complete the admission process within the time stipulated. We allow the prayer. Both the States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and the competent authorities will D complete the coun~elling and admission in engineering colleges and other institutions by 31st August, 2014 in accordance with law. The extension of time will be applicable to the State of Andhra Pradesh and newly . created State ofTelangana and notthe other State." .

15. Be it noted, IA Nos. 50-56/2014 were filed in Parshvanath Charitable Trust (supra) case and the Court · adverting to the•earlier table and the table submitted by the AICTE, issued the following directions:

"Earlier when the matter was taken up by this court on ' · 19th August, 2014 in I.A. No. 50,51 & 52, the following order was passed:

"The petitioners may file an additional affidavit enclosing a chart showing the date they intend to (i) G get counselling of students, (ii) admit the students,(iii) start the course, (iv) number of classes to be attended as per law (iv)the day when the course will be completed as p_er the norms, (v) the month in which

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admit card will be issued and (vi) the examination schedule to commence.

Postthe matter on 25th August, 2014."

The aforesaid order was passed with a view to know B whether the students will suffer if the period of counselling an admission is extended and whether the petitioners will be in a position to complete the sessions within time schedule. The additional affidavit has been filed on behalf of the Applicant I.A. NO. 50/2014 showing therein details of the C existing v Academic Calendar Year 2014-2015 which reads as follows :

'

---·--·-----·- ----- -- -- ·1 sr-·· - . ----- ------- - --- ----·· ----· ------ State ri aca:!emic of 'August No.

ri • Days session as per (University started considering 5 days a Supreme Court their classes on 19th v..eek- Holidays* August, 2014 Actual date of start of 2d" of Au;iust 71-06 = 65 teaching classes days Last ri teaching 29'" of November Issue of Admit Card · · 1 m of Dec (Admit card - are issued on line) .

Preparation 1m Dec-14".Dec 14 Days Leave for Exam '

Start ci Semester 15" c:I December, examination Erd ri Semester 10"' ct Jan., 2015 examination Start ri second 15"' ri January, 2015 semester

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 383 UNIVERSITY[DIPAK MISRA, J.] The Applicants have now proposed the academic A calendar for admission in their Colleges/Institutions, without loss of teaching days, making Saturdays as teaching days :

ci a:aderric 1st of Septerrba"

No.

of Days session considering 6 days a Start wee< - f-blidays* Last day of tea::hing 2lf' · of Noventler 78-6 - teaching days Issue ci Adrrit Card 1st of Dec. (Mrit card c are issued on line) Preparaion, Leave for 1" Dec-14" Dec 14 Days Elcan .

Start of Slmester 15'" of Decentler, a:J14 ecarrination Erd of Slmester 1lT" of Jan., 2015 ecarrination Start ci second 15'"of Januay, 2015 serrester • The learned counsel appearing on behalf of other applicants and AICTE submits that there is no objection if the Academic Calendar Year proposed b the applicant - International Institute of Technology & Business, .Sonepat and others in I.A. No. 50/2014 is allowed. It may be allowed to be applied to other institutions who have filed similar applications. "

· Having heard the learned counsel for the parties, we direct to implead the applicants as party to C.A. No. 9048/2012, extend the cut-off for counselling and admission as fixed by the final judgment and order dated 13th December, 2012 passed in C.A. N0.9048/2012 by

SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2014] 14 S.C.R.

· one week i.e. 5th September, 2014 with clear understanding that they will admit the students and complete the Session as per the time schedule shown and recorded above.

This extension of time for G_ounselling and Admission shall be applicable to the Colleges/Institutions who have filed the applications for impleading as the parties to the present appeal and the Colleges and Institutions for whom permission has been sought by AICTE."

c -16. We have referred to the orders passed by this Court in a sequential manner only to highlight that for the academic year 2014-15 there was some cavil with regard to the jurisdiction of AICTE till the four-Judge Bench by order dated · 9.5.2014 clarified prior approval of AIGTE is compulsory and mandatory for conduc.t of technical course including MBA/ Management course by exiting affiliated technical college and also including technical college which would require affiliation ·by a university for conduct ofits technical process/programmes for the academic year 2014-15. The fime schedule originally postulated in the Parshvanath case was extended regard being had to the special features of each case ..

17. In the case at hand it is submitted by Mr. Rohatgi that the university had issued a notification on 28 .. 8.2014 to provide a fresh round of counselling (supplementary counselling) after 15.8.2014 which was the cut-off date. The said notification issued by the university challenged before the High Court of Delhi. The learned Single Judge issued notice in the Writ Petition but did not pass an interim order. In lntra-CourtAppeal the Division Bench by an order dated 3.9.2014 gave liberty to G the universityto go ahead with the supplementary counselling for non-AICTE courses/ non-NCTE courses and granted liberty to move this court for extension of time. Assailing the aforesaid .order Special Leave Petition (C) No. 24442 of 2014 was filed and this court on 8.9.2014 passed the following order:-

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 385 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] .. "Issue notice.

Ms. Asha Jain Madan, Advocate for the respondent, on caveat, has entered appearance and accepts notice. We have been apprised, in the course of hearing of this petition forthe purposes of admission, thatthe University B has issued a notification dated 28.08.2014, which is prior to the order passed by the High Court. The said notification, as submitted by Mr. Sibal, is likely to affect the schedule fixed by this Court for AICTE arid other statutory authorities like, NCTE, etc. It is also urged at c the Bar by virtue of this notification being worked out, the students who have been admitted to a particular course, may be dislodged or try their option for other courses as . a consequence of which the educational institutions would likely to face a hazard. Be that as it may, Mr. Maninder 0 Singh, learned ASG shall explain the impact and effect· of the notification issued on 28.08.2014.

As an ad interim measure, it is directed there shall be stay of operation of the order dated 3.09.2014 passed by the High Court of Delhi at NewDelhi in LPA No. 576/ E 2014 and th"e Notification referred to hereinabove. Liston 12.09.2014."

When the matter was listed thereafter, a statement was made by the counsel appearing for the university that the F · notification dated 28.8.2014 which was the subject matter of the writ petition in the High Court was withdrawn. Taking note of the said submission, the following order came to be passed. "Heard Mr. Manin.der Singh learned Additional Solicitor General appearing for the University. It is submitted by G the learned Additional Solicitor General that the Universify has taken a decision to withdraw th~ Notification dated 28thAugust, 2014.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS {2014] 14 S.C.R. · In view of the aforesaid, the impugned order passed by . ··· the Division Bench of the High Court is set aside and the Writ Petition© No.5696/2014 pending in the High Court of Delhi, is deemed to have been disposed of." , r .

19. Thereafter the present batch of writ petitions have' .... ; · B been filed fundamentally for extension of time schedule which ' . would logically give rise to conducting of another round of· counselling. It is contended in the writ petition that more than .. six thousand seats are vacant and there are thousand of. students who are qualified in CET and there is no justification C not to fill up the said seats. It is asseverated that due to no · · fault of the educational institutions which are self-financed are likely to suffer enormous financial loss and the students who . have cleared the entrance test and are meritorious would lose · one year. Be it stated, the notificatio11 issued by the university • D covered the following courses:- · "(a) B,Tech/M. Tech. (Dual Degree)/B.Tech. CETCode .;· ' 31;

(b) BBA,CET Code 125 ,.,. __ (c) BCA CET Code 114 (d) B. Com., CET Code 146 (e) B.Ed. CET Code 122 (f) BJMC, CET Code 126 (g) BA, LLB/BBA, LLB. CET Code 121 .

(h) MBA, CET Code 191 (i) MCA, CET Code 105 · U) LE to B.Tech. CET Code 128 and 129"

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20. It is not disputed that courses covered under (a), (h), (i) and 0) are covered by AICTE Regulations. B,Ed. CET Code 122 is covered under the NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder. Courses covered under, (b), (c), (d), (f)

VAR UN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 387 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] and (g) are directly governed by the university statutes and A regulations. In the present case we are not dealing with the controversy pertaining to the cases under the NCTEAct, 1993.

21. First, we shall dwell upon the courses thaf are regulated by the 1987 Act and the 1994 Regulations. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners, namely, 8 the institutions and the students, thatAICTE did not adhere to the schedule as far as the counselling is concerned and the University played possum with the schedule and further created ·a chaos by allowing the students who had already taken admissions in certain institutions to participate in the C supplementary counselling which is impermissible on the face of the prospectus issued by the university. Mr. Rohtagi, learned Attorney General would submit that AICTE, after the pronouncement of the judgment in Association Management of Private Colleges' cas~ was uncertain of its jurisdiction/ D authority till it was conferred the power although by an interim order on 9.5.

2014 in Orissa Technical. Colleges Association's case, and that uncertainty caused delay. We have been apprised that the matter is pending before a threeJudge Bench and theAICTE has proceeded solely on the basis E of the interim order. As far as the issuance of the notification in respect of ten courses having access to all candidates including the students who had already taken admission, learned Attorney General submitted, that such inclusion was contrary to the prospec'tus and also erroneous on many a score.

22. Let it be clearly stated that we appreciate that for the academic year 2014-15, there were certain unforeseen circumstances. First, a question mark was put on the authority of AICTE, (ii) second, there was bifurcation of States of Andhra G Pradesh to two states, namely State of Andhra Pradesh and State of Telengana, and· (iii) third, number of seats had remained vacant despite students having qualified and desirous of taking of the courses.

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·. 23. In our considered opinion, these are significant speCial features that have occurred in the academic year 201415. There are two ways to look at the fact situation .. It can be perceived with a myopic attitude or it can be appreciated, regard being had to multitudinous consequences. We have be~n apprised by the learned Attorney General that if time is granted for on-line counselling it can commence w.e.f. 20th of October, 2014 and would be over within two days and thereafter classes can start. He has reproduced a letter dated 11th of October, 2014 issued by the Vice-Chancellor how the University C would carry out the supplementary counselling. We think it apt to reproduce the same:- • "University would be agreeable to carry out a supplementary counselling for admissions for remaining vacant seats from the eligible CET qualified candidates.

•The University has further decided that only vacant seats ·will be filled up from eligible CET qualified students as per their merits, who have not taken admissions. as yet.

• The university also agrees that rio further dislocation will be carried out for any students who are already admitted in the programmes at any college/institute." · 24. Weighing the issue on the scales of larger public interest in the obtaining factual matrix we are inclined to state that the relief sought and the plausible solution offered by the University can be accepted as that would subserve the cause of justice. In these courses, the university, as submitted before us, can keep the pace. The students who would be taking G admissions subject to our order, be put in one section in the allotted colleges so that they can attend classes for an extra hour. That apart their holidays shall be curtailed as per the directions of the University. An undertaking to the said effect can be taken from the students. Every student shall have the

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 389 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] requisite 75% attendance of the original number of classes. In case, there will be any shortage of attendance it shall be sternly dealt with.

25. Be it noted, such an agonizing situation inviting national waste could have been avoided hadAICTE and the University would have been more careful, cautious and circumspect. However, to do complete justice, we have issued the aforesaid directions. This is in the larger public interest. At this juncture we may fruitfully recapitulate an ancient saying:- "Yadapi Sidhham, Loka Virudhham c NaAdaraniyam, Na Karaniyam"

26. As the present fact situation depicts the larger public interest and ultimately subserve the ca.use of justice we extend the time for on-line counselling till 20th of October, 2014.

27. At this juncture, we have been apprised by Mr. P.P. Rao and Mr. Sundram, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners that the problem occurs every year; for despite di\IYS for counselling are fi~ed, adequate number of students are not called for counselling, as a result of which, many students Who have cleared the CET do not_ get an opportunity to undertake the counselling and eventually the admission does not take place. We are absolutely consciqus that it is in the sphere of university administration~ But when the problem is recurrent we command the University to hold counselling in such a manner within the stipulated time in the schedule so that all the seats are filled up if there are eligible candidates for such counselling. The University cannot behave like an alien to the national interest.

Another aspect which requir~s to be noted is that a blame game has been going on by the G educational institutions on the one hand and theAICTE and the University on the other, and on certain occasions between the AICTE and the University. All of them function in the field of education. Such kind of cavil and narrowness is likely to create a concavity in the educational culture of the country.

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A all concerned must remember that education charters the way where a civilized man slaughters his prejudices. Any education properly imparted is a constant allurement to learn. · It is inconceivable that the authorities who are in charge of controlling the sphere of education to behave like errant knights B justifying their own fanciful deeds. Law expects a rational perception, logical approach and ,a studied and welldeliberated decision from all the authorities. It is imperative to state, a concerted elfort has to be made by theAICTE and the University to avoid recurrence of this kind of piquant and C agonising situations. Perceived from any perspective, it does not augur a healthy situation. Had theAICTE functioned within the time frame in respect of the process the matter would not have given rise to such a situation.

·similarly, had the University conducted the counselling with utmost responsibility keeping o in view the number of seats that were available in the approved institutions and the number of students that have qualified in the Common Entrance Test, possibly the gravity of the problem would have been less.

·

28. In a State of good governance, a problem is taken E note of so that appropriate and timely steps are taken to avoid any recurrence. The authorities who are incharge of giving approval, preparing syllabus, imparting education and carrying on such other activities, are required to behave With responsibility. Lack of concern is only indicative of the F beginning of destruction. ·That cannot be allowed to occur. Therefore, we caution the AICTE and the University to see to It that things are done on time following the fixed time schedule. We ingeminate, atthe cost ofrepetition, that we have extended the time because of the situation that has prevailed this year G but if due efforts are taken, we are certain that same would l')Ot be required. We hasten to clarify the time schedule originally fixed in· Parshvanath Charitable Trust case has to be treated as the schedule for all coming years. Any modification that has been done, as is manifest from the various orders which H we have reproduced hereinbefore, including the present

VARUN SAINI v. GURU GOBIND SINGH INDRAPRASHTHA 391 UNIVERSITY [DIPAK MISRA, J.] judgment, have been passed forthe academic session 201415 in the special features of each case. Be it stated, avoidanee · · · of unpleasant litigation is a progressive step in a civilised · society governed by rule of law.

29. To sum up:

(a) Time is extended for carrying out the on-line counselling till 21st of October, 2014 .

• (b) The students who have already taken admission in colleges shall not be permitted to participate in the supplementary counselling, and the students who are C attending classes in any institution without the counseling shall be deemed not to have been admitted and, therefore, they will be eligible to participate in the on line counseling.

(c) The students those are selected for admission and allotted to the respective colleges on merits shall take admission forthwith.

(d) The students after being allotted to a particular college shall be put in a separate Section as they shall be E required to attend extra-working classes. The educational institutions have to seriously impart education with the help and aid of teachers, if necessary, by providing adequate means and facilitation for the teachers.

· (e) The University shall constitute a team to see whether classes are held or not.

(f) Unless a student gets the requisite attendance of 75% on the basis of the computation held, regard being had to the entire teaching days, he shall not be permitted to G appear in the examination.

(g) The time schedule originally fixed in Parshavnath Charitable Trust.(supra) shall remain in force and be religiously followed in the subsequent years.

SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2014] 14 S.C.R.

(h) Ex consequenti, the writ petitions are disposed.of on above terms. There shall be no order as to costs. · Nidhi Jain Petitions disposed of.