1. The Anna University has come up with the above writ petition challenging a communication sent by the Council of Architecture, informing them of the decision of the Executive Committee of the Council, to reduce the permitted annual intake of students from 80 to 40 from the academic years 2012-2013 for a period of five years, on the ground that there were some deficiencies.

2. I have heard Mr. P.H. Aravindh Pandian, learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the petitioner and Mr. N.Muralikumaran, learned counsel appearing for the respondent herein.

3. The Department of Architecture, was originally started as a constituent of the Guindy Engineering College, affiliated to the Madras University way back in the year 1957. After the issue of the Anna University Act, 1978, it became a unit of the Anna University. It was a pioneer in the field of education in Architecture and Planning.

4. But, even before the Anna University was carved out of the Madras University, the Parliament enacted the Architects Act, 1972 and it came into force on 1.9.1972. The Act provided for the constitution of a council known as Council of Architecture. The Council of Architecture was entrusted