THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE B. VIJAYSEN REDDY WRIT PETITION No.1247 OF 2025

ORDER:

1.1. This writ petition is filed aggrieved by the action of respondent No.1 - Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTU), in rejecting issuance of notification as required under the University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for Maintenance of Standards in Autonomous Colleges) Regulations 2023 (‘UGC Regulations’) by the letter dated 23.12.2024, and not permitting petitioner No.2 - Princeton Institution of Engineering and Technology for Women, Ghatkesar, Medchal District (hereinafter referred to as ‘petitioner institution’), to operate as an autonomous institution from the Academic Year 2024-25 as illegal, arbitrary and unconstitutional; and for a consequential direction to direct JNTU to issue notification for the petitioner institution to function as an autonomous institution and grant all the privileges of autonomy to it from the Academic Year 2024-25 onwards.

1.2. It is submitted that the petitioner institution has been granted affiliation by the JNTU and the same was approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The petitioner institution submitted application to respondent No.2 - University Grants Commission (UGC) seeking conferment of autonomous status to it through the UGC Portal in accordance with Regulation No.6 of the UGC Regulations.

1.3. It is stated that requirements to be met for grant of autonomous status are specified in Regulation No.6 of the UGC Regulations.

1.4. It is claimed that the petitioner has standing of fifteen (15) years and has been granted Grade - A accreditation by NAAC for the excellence of the facilities offered by it, and therefore, eligible for autonomous status under the UGC Regulations. On 15.05.2024, the petitioner institution submitted an application to JNTU seeking ‘No Objection Certificate’ (NOC) in relation to the autonomous status by paying requisite fees. The application of the petitioner was considered in accordance with the UGC Regulations and the UGC passed orders in its meeting dated 27.08.2024 granting autonomous status for a period of ten (10) years and the same was communicated to JNTU vide letter dated 04.09.2024 whereby UGC specifically requested JNTU to issue notification within thirty (30) days in accordance with the UGC Regulations.

1.5. It is submitted that as per Regulation No.4.2 of the UGC Regulations, JNTU is required to issue notification within thirty (30) days of the autonomous status being conferred by UGC for the College to function as an autonomous entity. Further, JNTU is required to continue the affiliation to the petitioner institution with all the benefits of autonomy. Grievance of the petitioner is that despite the letter dated 04.09.2024 having been issued by UGC to JNTU, JNTU has not taken any steps for issuance of notification as required under the UGC Regulations.

1.6. The petitioners issued the letter dated 11.09.2024 requesting JNTU to issue notification at the earliest, provide login credentials and also appoint nominees to the Board of Students, Academic Council and the Government Body. Reminder letter dated 12.12.2024 was issued to JNTU for issuance of notification. As there was no action from JNTU, the petitioner institution filed W.P. No.36068 of 2024 which is pending.

1.7. During the pendency of the writ petition, JNTU issued letter dated 23.12.2024 to the UGC stating that JNTU was not inclined to issue NOC to the petitioner institution for grant of autonomous status as respondent No.3 - the State of Telangana, Department of Higher Education, Hyderabad, was about to submit a strategic plan to the UGC for the Academic Year 2025-26 to maintain a healthy academic environment in the State. Further, it was stated that certain deficiencies in Faculty and infrastructure were identified by JNTU, as such, autonomous status could not be granted in the middle of the academic year.

1.8. It is conte