Administrative inaction on affiliation application post-NCTE recognition violates Article 14; must decide within reasonable time.

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the second respondent to grant affiliation order for the Integrated Teacher Education Programme ITEP (SBC. B.ED) for 2 units (50 Seats per unit) for the Academic year 2026-2027 in light of the recognition order granted by the NCTE dated 26.09.2025 in F. No NCTE / SRC / 2526202403042051/ Tamil Nadu / 2024 / Recognition order to the MASS college of Arts and Science at Chenani Salai Kallapuliyur village, Kaumbakonam as sought vide petitioners application dated 30.10.2025 and reminder dated 10.04.2026 within a time frame as may be stipulated by this Hon’ble Court.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that the petitioner Trust is running the MASS College of Arts and Science at Chennai Salai, Kallapuliyur Village, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur District. The NCTE has already granted recognition to the petitioner for conducting the ITEP courtse from the Academic Year 2026-

2027. Pursuant to the recognition order, the petitioner has also sought for affiliation from the second respondent University for enrolling students in the ITEP course, for which, the petitioner had applied to the second respondent University for grant of affiliation vide application dated 30.10.2025. Despite lapse of considerable time and repeated representations, the second respondent has not passed any orders on the said application. The inaction of the second respondent has greatly prejudiced the petitioner in running the institution and admitting students. Aggrieved by the in action of the second respondent, the petitioner has filed the present writ petition.

3. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this Court may issue a direction to the second respondent to consider the petitioners application dated

30.10.2025 within the time to be stipulated by this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner as well as the learned Additional Government Pleader and since no adverse order is passed against the respondents 2 and 3, notice to them is dispensed with.

5. It is not in dispute that the petitioner has submitted an application dated

30.10.2025 seeking affiliation from the second respondent University. An administrative authority is bound to act on the applications submitted by the citizens/Institutions within the reasonable time. Keeping the application pending indefinitely without passing orders amount to arbitrary exercise of power and violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The petitioner cannot be made to suffer on account of the inaction of the second respondent. The application deserves to be considered on merits and in accordance with law and the applicable regulations.

6. Considering the fact that the application is of the year 2025, this Court is of the view that it would suffice to direct the second respondent to consider the same and pass orders on the petitioner's application dated 30.10.2025 within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

7. With the above direction, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.