The court affirmed that autonomous colleges can independently conduct examinations as per UGC regulations, quashing University orders that interfere with this autonomy.

ORDER :

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.

This writ petition is filed seeking a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for the records relating to the impugned order dated 15.12.2025 passed by the 3^rd respondent and to quash the same and to direct the 2^nd respondent University to allow the petitioner college to function as an autonomous college without any hindrance forthwith and to pass such further other orders.

2. Heard Mr.Prabhu Mukunth Arunkumar, Learned Counsel for the petitioner, Mr.U.Baranidharan, the Learned Counsel for Anna University and Mr.Rabu Manohar, Learned Counsel for the University Grants Commission.

3. After hearing the arguments of the Learned Counsel on both sides and perusing the material records of the case, the following is the factual background in which this writ petition arises. The University Grants Commission published its new guidelines on 03.04.2023, titled University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status Upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as UGC Regulations). It is seen that, under the said regulations, the petitioner institution opted to claim autonomous status. Pursuant to the application made, by an order dated 02.01.2025, the UGC conferred autonomous status on the petitioner institution for a period of 10 years, commencing from the academic year 2025-2026 to the academic year 2034-2035, as per Clause 7.5 of the UGC Regulations. Once the institution is conferred the autonomous status, the role of the parent University, namely the Anna University, the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents herein, is defined under Regulation No.4. As per Regulation 4.2, the parent University had to issue a notification within 30 days for the College to function as an autonomous entity. In this case, no such notification was issued by the parent University within 30 days. On the contrary, there were concerns for the University. They felt that the Institution was lacking in several academic standards including, lack of teaching staff, infrastructure etc. Under the said circumstances, they took up the matter with the UGC, which also seems to have overruled their objections. Under the said circumstances, the writ petition was filed by the petitioner institution in W.P.No.5006 of 2025, which was allowed by an order dated 04.12.2025.

4. This Court held that, when the role of the parent University is very limited as per the Regulations, the parent University had no jurisdiction to withhold the issue of the notification. Feeling aggrieved, the matter was carried to the Hon’ble Division Bench by way of an intra-court appeal in Writ Appeal No.2514 of 2025 etc., and by a common order dated 02.09.2025, the Hon’ble Division Bench also confirmed the order passed in the writ petition. Aggrieved thereby, the parent University further escalated the matter to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and SLP.No.29146 of 2025 etc., came to be dismissed. It was only thereafter that the 2^nd and 3^rd respondents namely, the parent University issued the necessary notification as per Regulation 4.2, declaring the autonomous status of the petitioner institution. The said notification itself clearly mentioned that the institution has to initiate action towards the constitution of Governing Body, Academic Council, Board of Studies, Finance Committee and Board of Examiners for ensuring proper management of academic, financial and general administration affairs of the institution. Further, the institution was also directed to remit the one-time fee of Rs.3,00,000/- for which the account details were mentioned.

5. Pursuant thereto, on 19.11.2025, the petitioner institution remitt