JUDGMENT

Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, J. (Oral)

1. This batch of writ petitions filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India involves a similar issue, therefore, the same is being decided by a common order. For the sake of convenience, the facts are taken from W.P.(C) 3082/2014. However, wherever necessary, the facts and grounds from individual matters are also referred to.

2. The petitioners have challenged Clause 3 (vi) of the notification of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test, June, 2012 (in short, UGC-NET examination, June 2012), imposed by respondent No.1- University Grants Commission (in short, UGC) to the extent it requires the candidates to compulsorily hold a Master's degree or equivalence by the Association of Indian Universities (in short, AIU), for appearing in the said examination.

3. The petitioners in W.P.(C) 3082/2014 have undergone a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)/Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (PGDBM) courses from the respective institutions which are recognized by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), between the years 2002 to 2009.

4. In the year 2012, UGC invited applications for UGC-NET ex