J U D G M E N T

Dated this the 16th day of March, 2020 Shaffique, J.

These two appeals have been preferred by Sree Chithra Thirunal College of Engineering challenging a common judgment dated 12/12/2019 in WP(C) Nos.36112/2015 and 38669/2015. By the impugned judgment, the learned Single Judge having found that there were 41 posts of Assistant Professors available in the College, directed appointment of the petitioners from the rank list prepared by the College on 20/6/2013. The rank list was valid initially for a period of two years which was extended by 6 months. The writ petitioners were rank Nos.9 and 13 in the rank list. Their contention was that the College did not follow the teacher-student ratio as approved by AICTE. The AICTE Approval Process Handbook 2015-16 indicated that, for the subject Engineering/Technology, the faculty-student ratio is 1:15 and according to the petitioner in WP(C) No. 36112/2015, the total number of students who were studying for B.Tech degree is 576.

There are 36 students for M.Tech Degree in the two year course and taking into account the teacher-student ratio as 1:15, there should be at least 41 teachers in the college. It is inter alia contended t