Surya Engineering College v. Anna University
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 24.04.2026 CORAM :
THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE Surya Engineering College, represented by its Principal, Perundurai Road, Manalmedu, Mettukkadai, Kathirampatti Post, Erode - 638 107.
... Petitioner Vs.
1.Anna University, represented by its Registrar, Chennai - 600 025.
2.University Grants Commission, represented by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of 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 Page No.1 of 6
in No.F.2-10/2023(AC-Policy) dated 12.03.2026 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. (C) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated 15.10.2025.
For Petitioner : Mr.Kandhan Duraisami For Respondents : Mr.U.Baranidharan Special Government Pleader [R1] Ms.V.Sudha Senior Central Government Standing Counsel [R2] *****
ORDER
The grievance of the petitioner is that despite the 2nd respondent having granted "autonomous" status to the petitioner, till date, the same has not been notified by the 1st respondent University.
2. The petitioner had given several representations to the 1st respondent University to notify the "autonomous" status of the petitioner. Since the representations have not been considered, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.
3. Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent and Ms.V.Sudha, learned Page No.2 of 6
Senior Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the 2nd respondent.
4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the materials available on record.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner drew the attention of this Court to an order dated 05.02.2025 passed in W.P.Nos.35, 38 and 39 of 2025 by a learned Single Judge of this Court involving a similar matter. In those writ petitions as well, a similar relief was sought, as prayed for in this writ petition. Those writ petitions were allowed by this Court on 05.02.2025 by directing the 1st respondet to notify the autonomous status as declared by the 2nd respondent. He also submits that the order of the learned Single Judge was upheld by the Division Bench of this Court and the Division Bench order was also confirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The orders passed by the Division Bench as well as the Hon'ble Supreme Court have also been placed on record. Page No.3 of 6
6. In view of the same, this writ petition has also got to be allowed as prayed for by the petitioner. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is allowed by directing the 1st respondent University to notify the "autonomous" status of the petitioner-College in terms of the declaration of autonomous status granted by the 2nd respondent (UGC) in favour of the petitioner, 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. 24.04.2026 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp Page No.4 of 6
To 1.The Registrar, Anna University, Chennai - 600 025.
2.The Secretary, University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
Page No.5 of 6
ABDUL QUDDHOSE, J.
sp 24.04.2026 Page No.6 of 6