Maria Felix .A v. The Director Of Technical Education

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.10.2023

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN and W.M.P(MD)No.13943 of 2023 A.Maria Felix ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Director of Technical Education, 53, Sardar Patel Road, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.

2.The Principal, Udhayam Polytechnic College, Thenkuda, Thangachimadam, Ariyankundu (PO), Rameswaram (TK), Ramanathapuram District - 623 529.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the first respondent to approve the admission of the petitioner at the second respondent Polytechnic college to the second year Polytechnic college within a time stipulated by this Court.

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For Petitioner : Mr.S.Louis For Respondents : Mr.S.RA.Ramachandran Additional Government Pleader for R.1 Ms.Amala for R.2

ORDER

Heard both sides.

2.The petitioner secured lateral entry in Polytechnic Course run by the second respondent college. The petitioner is now in the fifth semester. His lateral entry is yet to be approved by the first respondent. Hence, the present writ petition came to be filed.

3. When the matter was taken up for hearing, the learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the first respondent drew my attention to the norms issued by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). It reads as follows:

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SI.No.

Programme Duration Eligibility v All Programmes 2 years Passed 10+2 examination with Physics/ Mathematics/Chemistry/Computer Science/ Electronics/Information Technology / Biology / Informatics Practices / Biotechnology / Technical Vocational subject/ Agriculture / Engineering Graphics/ Business Studies / Entrepreneurship as per table 1.3(a).

(Lateral Entry to Second Year Diploma) OR 10th + (2 years ITI) shall be eligible for admission to Second Year Diploma Course(s) in ANY branch of Engineering and Technology.

(The Affiliating Body will offer suitable bridge courses such as Mathematics, Physics, Engineering drawing, etc., for the students coming from diverse backgrounds to achieve desired learning outcomes of the programme) It is contended by the first respondent that the petitioner no doubt had passed ITI, but then he completed the 10th Standard only in October 2022. Whereas admission in the lateral entry had taken place in July 2022 itself.

4. A reading of the AICTE norms indicates that for gaining lateral entry one must have completed 10th Standard and ITI which is of two 3/5

years' duration. The materials enclosed in the typed set of papers indicate that the petitioner cleared 10th Standard in May 2022 itself. Admittedly, he is having ITI qualification. Therefore, the norms set out by AICTE stands fulfilled. The first respondent is directed to approve the petitioner's admission in the second respondent College through lateral entry.

5. This writ petition is allowed accordingly. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

17.10.2023 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes/ No MGA Note: Issue order copy on 20.10.2023.

To The Director of Technical Education, 53, Sardar Patel Road, Anna University, Guindy, Chennai - 600 025.

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G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.

MGA and W.M.P(MD)No.13943 of 2023 17.10.2023 5/5