JUDGMENT

K. JAGANNATHA SHETTY, J. (For himself and M. H. Kania, Fathima Beevi and Yogeshwar Dayal, JJ.):-

INTRODUCTION:

St. Stephens College at New Delhi and Allahabad Agricultural Institute at Naini are two of our premier and renowned institutions. The former has been affiliated to the Delhi University and the latter to the U. P. University. Both are aided educational institutions and getting grant from the State funds. They have their own admission programme which they follow every academic year. The admission programme provides for giving preference in favour of Christian students. It is claimed that they are entitled to have their own admission programme since they are religious minority institutions. The validity of the admission programme and the preference given to Christian students are the issues that need to be resolved in these cases. The questions are of great constitutional importance and consequence to all minority institutions in the country.

THE FACTS IN GENERAL

ST.STEPHENS COLLEGE

2. St. Stephens College was founded on February 1, 1881. It is the oldest College in Delhi. It was first affiliated to Calcutta University and then to Punjab University and thereafter to Delhi