The conferment of autonomous status on a college by the University Grants Commission is an exercise of exclusive domain under the Union List, necessitating the affiliated university to notify such status within 30 days as mandated by Regulation 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023.

PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1st Respondent herein to scrupulously adhere to Regulation 4.2. of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and measures for maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges) Regulations 2023 and forthwith notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner colleges in the order of the University Grants Commission in No.F.2-10/2023(AC-Policy) dated 21.04.2026 in line with the judgement in W.A.Nos. 2514, 1778 and 1840 of 2025 dated 02.09.2025 and the order of the Supreme Court in S.L.P. (C) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated 15.10.2025.

ORDER

The writ petition is filed praying for a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1st Respondent herein to scrupulously adhere to Regulation 4.2. of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and measures for maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges) Regulations 2023 and forthwith notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner colleges in the order of the University Grants Commission in No.F.2-10/2023(AC-Policy) dated 21.04.2026 in line with the judgement in W.A.Nos. 2514, 1778 and 1840 of 2025 dated 02.09.2025 and the order of the Supreme Court in S.L.P. (C) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated 15.10.2025.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that petitioner is an educational institution conducting 7 UG Programmes with an annual intake of 450 students. The All India Council for Technical Education granted approval to establish petitioner institution starting from the Academic Year 2007-2008. Petitioner Institution is affiliated with Anna University. Furthermore, petitioner College is recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) under Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 and is accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)

3. Learned counsel would further submit that petitioner submitted an online application for the conferment of autonomous status as per University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status Upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations 2023. However, it is stated that Anna University vide its communication dated 24.12.2025 addressed to UGC informed that petitioner College has not complied/satisfied with certain criteria prescribed by the University.

4. At this stage, learned counsel for petitioner would submit that despite Anna University refusing recommending autonomous status to the petitioner college, petitioner’s application to UGC was considered and UGC has granted the petitioner’s autonomous status to the college. He would then submit that the power to grant, continue, or withdraw autonomous status falls within the exclusive domain of the University Grant Commission in terms of Entry 66 of List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.

5. Learned counsel for petitioner would also place reliance upon the order dated 09.04.2026 whereby the University Grants Commission (UGC) communicated the conferment of autonomous status to the petitioner College. By the said order, the UGC requested Anna University to issue the necessary notification within 30 days, in terms of UGC Regulations, more particularly Regulation 4.2 which is set out hereunder:

“4.2 Issue notification within 30 days for a college to function as an autonomousentity once the autonomous status is conferred on the college by UGC.”

Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that despite the fact that more than six weeks have passed, Anna University has not issued the a