1. The above writ petitions are materially connected in respect of non-consideration of applications seeking affiliation to start new courses and a new College respectively. Therefore, I heard them together and propose to deliver a common judgment. Material facts for the disposal of the writ petitions are as follows:

2. In W.P.(C) No.18336 of 2017, petitioner College sought for establishment of a new Self Financing Arts and Science College, viz., M.G.M. College of Arts & Science, Kadinamkulam, Thiruvananthapuram. As per consent letter dated 22.05.2015, consent was granted to proceed with the establishment of a new Self Financing Arts and Science College. As per the stipulations contained in the said letter of consent viz., Ext.P1, it is stated that the letter of consent shall not entitle the institution to make admissions, and that as per the prescribed Rules, admissions shall be made only after provisional affiliation as per Statute 12 of Chapter 24 of the Kerala University First Statutes, 1977. As per Ext.P1(a) dated 27.06.2015, administrative sanction was accorded by the State Government with certain conditions. Thereafter, petitioner submitted application to start addi