JUDGMENT

Prateek Jalan, J. (Oral)

The proceedings in the matter have been conducted through video conferencing.

1. The petitioner seeks a direction upon the respondent/Pharmacy Council of India ["PCI"] to process its application dated 10.02.2021 for grant of recognition to its Bachelor of Pharmacy ["B.Pharma"] course for the academic year 2021-22. The petitioner has made an alternative prayer for a direction upon the respondent to provide a link to the petitioner for submission of its online application seeking recognition of the said course.

2. The petitioner is an established institution running a Diploma in Pharmacy ["D.Pharma"] course since 2016-17. It desired, in addition, to establish a B.Pharma course from the academic year 2021-22.

3. The case of the petitioner is that, pursuant to a public notice dated 30.12.2020, the PCI opened its portal for submission of approval applications for the academic year 2021-22. Existing institutions were entitled to apply for continuation of approval, as well as for introduction of new courses. Under the aforesaid circular, the portal was to remain open during the period 04.01.2021 to 31.01.2021. By a subsequent notice dated 04.02.2021