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Madras High CourtWP/20982/2026disposed of

Cms College Of Engineering v. Anna University

2026-06-03Honourable Mr.Justice Mohammed Shaffiq6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 03-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ CMS College Of Engineering Rep. by its Chairman CMS Nagar, Ernapuram Namakkal 637003.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. Anna University Represented By Its Registrar, Chennai-600 025.

2. University Grants Commission, Rep. By Its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110 002.

..Respondent(s) 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.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr. Kandhan Duraisami For Respondent(s):

Mr. U.Baranidharan, Standing counsel, For R1 Ms. V.Sudha , Standing counsel, For R2

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.210/2023(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 autonomous status, which is contrary to Regulation 4.2.

6. Learned counsel appearing for Anna University would submit that the University would issue the autonomous status certificate and notify the same within a period of six weeks.

7. The above request cannot be acceded to. In terms of Regulation 4.2 of UGC Regulations, it would be clear that duty is cast on the University to notify autonomous status within 30 days. Having failed it would not be appropriate for Anna University to request for six weeks time. In any view, this court is inclined to direct Anna University to issue and notify the autonomous status of the petitioner within a period of two weeks from the date of uploading of web copy without waiting for receipt of certified copy of the order.

8. The Writ Petition stands disposed of with the above direction. There shall be no order as to costs.

03-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order jv

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

2. The Secretary, University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110 002.

MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J.

jv 03-06-2026