JUDGMENT

SANJIV KHANNA, J.

The petitioners, 92 in number, in this writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution of India have prayed for directing the University Grants Commission, (hereinafter referred to as ‘UGC’) to issue a clarification that the degrees of Bachelor of Technology (hereinafter referred to as ‘B.Tech.’) acquired by them through open and distance learning mode from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, (hereinafter referred to as ‘TIET, Patiala’) are valid, recognised and should be treated at par with degrees granted to regular students who have undertaken such courses in TIET, Patiala and other recognised universities.

2. UGC is refusing to treat the technical degrees issued by TIET, Patiala under distance learning mode as valid, primarily for the reason that the B.Tech. courses conducted by TIET, Patiala were without their approval and approval of the All India Council for Technical Education (hereinafter referred to as ‘AICTE’).

3. The petitioners who are diploma holders in Civil/ Computer Science/ Electrical/ Mechanical Engineering and working in the Government of Punjab have stated that they were selected for the B.Tech. degree course t