Sudharsan Educational Trust v. University Grants Commission
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 20.04.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.10642 of 2026 Sudharsan Educational Trust, Rep. by its Managing Trustee, Educational Agency Sudharsan Engineering College, Sathiyamangalam, Kulathur (Tk), Pudukkottai District - 622 501.
..Petitioner - Vs. -
1. University Grants Commission, Represented by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
2. The Registrar, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai - 600 025.
.. Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a WRIT OF MANDAMUS, directing the 2nd Respondent University to notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner college by the 1st respondent University Grants Commission 1/6
vide order in No.F.2-10/2023(AC-Policy) dated 06.03.2026 for a period of ten years from 2026-2027 to 2035-2036, as per Clause 4.2 of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges) Regulation 2023 forthwith.
For Petitioner : Mr.D.Prabhu Mukunth Arun Kumar For Respondents : Ms.H.Jasima Yasmin for M/s.AjmalAssociates for R2
ORDER
The petitioner is before this Court for issuing a direction to the second respondent to notify the Autonomous status granted to the petitioner college by the first respondent University Grants Commission vide order dated 06.03.2026 in No.F.2-10/2023(AC-Policy) for a period of ten years from 2026-2027 to 2035-2036, as per Clause 4.2 of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges) Regulation 2023.
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2. Learned counsel for the petitioner placed reliance on the Divisio Bench of this Court wherein it has been held that once autonomous status is conferred by the University Grants Commission, it is imperative on the part of the University to notify the same.
3. In view of the above said legal position, the second respondent is directed to notify the autonomous status of the petitioner college on or before 10.05.2026 in the light of Clause 4.2 of University Grants Commission (Conferment of Autonomous Status upon Colleges and Measures for maintenance of standards in autonomous colleges) Regulation 2023.
4. With the above said observation, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.
20.04.2026 Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No PJL 3/6
To
1. University Grants Commission, Represented by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110 002.
2. The Registrar, Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Chennai - 600 025.
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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.
PJL W.P.(MD)No.10642 of 2026 20.04.2026 6/6