Jeppiaar Engineering College v. Anna University

ORDER By consent of both parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

¶2Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the first respondent and Ms.V.Sudha, learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the second respondent.

¶3This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first 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 College pursuant to the order of the University Grants Commission in No.F.2-10/2023 (AC Policy) dated 09.04.2026 in line with the judgment rendered 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.(Civil) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated

15.10.2025. Page2 of 4

¶4Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the Principal of the petitioner Engineering College. The petitioner approached the second respondent seeking conferment of autonomous status for a period of ten years from the academic year 2026-2027 to 2035-2036 and received a communication from the second respondent dated 09.04.2026 granting such conferment. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner approached the first respondent University, fulfilled all procedural requirements and submitted necessary documents including the UGC e-mail regarding conferment of autonomous status, for issuance of notification by the first respondent. However, the first respondent failed to issue any notification. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

¶5Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that the issue involved in the present writ petition is squarely covered by the order dated

05.02.2025 passed by this Court in W.P.Nos.35, 38 and 39 of 2025, wherein this Court had elaborately dealt with the issue and directed the respondent University to notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner College in terms of Clause 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023.

¶6Fully fortified by the order passed by this Court in W.P.Nos.35, 38, and 39 of 2025, this Court is of the view that the writ petition deserves to be allowed. Page3 of 4

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J. gm/gpa Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed with a direction to the first respondent University to notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner College in terms of Clause 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. 13-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order gm/gpa To

1.The Registrar, Anna University, Chennai-600 025.

2.The Secretary, University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110 002. Page4 of 4

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-05-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI Jeppiaar Engineering College represented by its Principal, Jeppiaar Nagar, Old Mamallapuram Road, Chennai - 600 119. .. Petitioner Vs 1.The Anna University, Rep. by its Registrar, Chennai-600 025. 2.The University Grants Commission, Rep. by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002. ..Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, 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 College in the order of the University Grants Commission in No.F.2-10/2023 (AC Policy) dated 09.04.2026 in line with the judgment 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.(Civil) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated 15.10.2025. Page1 of 4 For Petitioner : Mr.Kandhan Duraisami For Respondents : Mr.U.Baranidharan Standing Counsel [R1] Ms.V.Sudha Senior Central Government Standing Counsel [R2] *****