These cases concern a common issue where the petitioners challenge Government Order dated 22/8/2016 by which a decision had been taken by the Government not to permit new Arts and Science Colleges or courses. In WP(C) Nos. 24872, 25001, 25183, 26111, 26325, 26401, 26492, 26493, 26781, 26941, 27005, 27417, 27463, 27973, 28401, 28686, 29248, 29499, 33316, 34184, 35268, 37978 and 38119/2016, petitioners seek for a direction to grant affiliation to start a new college during the academic year 2016-17. In WP(C) Nos. 25782, 26026, 26331, 26782, 26783, 26784, 26785, 26786, 26787, 27439, 27440, 27602, 27615, 27618, 29054, 29055, 29095, 29196, 29247, 29249, 29650, 29761, 30187, 30287, 34494, 34507, 35811, 37124, 37297, 37447, 38815 & 38360/2016, petitioners seek for a direction to grant affiliation to start new courses in an existing college.

2. The petitioners are institutions which have sought for affiliation from the respective Universities namely the Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kannur University, Calicut University etc., for affiliation for new colleges/new courses in existing colleges. In most of the cases, the University after having received the application