The Court emphasizes the mandatory nature of CUET for admissions in Undergraduate Programs at Central Universities, pending further clarification.

1. In Para - 8 of the affidavit filed by the University Grant Commission (the UGC') it has been stated as under:
8. As per the Central Universities Act , 2009, the University has the power to determine standards of admission to the University, which may include examination, evaluation or any other method of testing. Further, admissions of students shall be made on merit, either through Common Entrance Tests conducted individually by the University or in combination with other Universities, or on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination in such courses where the intake of students is small .

2. The UGC in its affidavit has also stated that the Delhi University can admit students in the Five - Year Law Degree Course through CLAT Examination, as the decision in this regard has been taken with the approval of University's Academic Council / Executive Council.

3. At the same time, a letter dated 10.03.2023 issued by the Joint Secretary, UGC (the Letter) has been brought to the notice of this Court. The Letter reveals that the UGC in its 566th meeting held on 23.02.2023 resolved as under: -

CUET shall be mandatory for admission in all the Undergraduate Programmes in all the Central Universities.
The decision of the Commission should be communicated to all the Central Universities for implementation in letter and spirit

4. Meaning thereby, the UGC has categorically resolved that the CUET is mandatory for admissions in all Under - Graduate Programmes in all Central Universities as underscored in the Letter.

5. Let the Chairman of the UGC file an affidavit categorically stating whether CUET is mandatory for Under - Graduate Five Year Law Degree Course for all Central Universities in the matter of grant of admission or not. The same be done positively within three days.

6. The University shall also file an additional affidavit stating categorically whether admissions to the Under - Graduate Five - Year Law Degree Course shall be made on the basis of CLAT Examination this year only or whether the same pattern will also be followed in subsequent years.

7. It is further clarified that, even though, the current approval is for one year only, the University shall make its stand very clear on the mode of examination i.e. CUET or CLAT for admission in the Five - Year Law Degree Course for the next Academic Year in case such an approval is granted.

8. Ms. Nidhi Raman - who is appearing on behalf of Central Government, is requested to inform Mr. Chetan Sharma, Additional Solicitor General of India to assist this Court.

9. List on 18.09.2023.