Allowed

Surya Engineering College v. Anna University

Madras HC24 Apr 2026WP/16105/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This writ petition sought a direction under Article 226 for Anna University to notify the autonomous status granted by UGC. The Court allowed the petition, directing the University Registrar to notify the status within four weeks, citing precedents.

What did the court decide?

Directed the 1st Respondent University to notify the autonomous status of the Petitioner College within four weeks.

Surya Engineering College Vs Anna University — Pension and Retirement Benefits | Madras HC (2026)

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W.P.No.16105 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED : 24.04.2026

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CORAM :

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THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ABDUL QUDDHOSE

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W.P.No.16105 of 2026

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Surya Engineering College, represented by its Principal, Perundurai Road, Manalmedu, Mettukkadai, Kathirampatti Post, Erode – 638 107.

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... Petitioner

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Vs.

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1.Anna University, represented by its Registrar, Chennai – 600 025.

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2.University Grants Commission, represented by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi – 110 002. ... Respondents

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Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the 1 st 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

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Page No.1 of 6

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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W.P.No.16105 of 2026

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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.

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For Petitioner : Mr.Kandhan Duraisami For Respondents : Mr.U.Baranidharan Special Government Pleader [R1] Ms.V.Sudha Senior Central Government Standing Counsel [R2]

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ORDER

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The grievance of the petitioner is that despite the 2 nd respondent having granted “autonomous” status to the petitioner, till date, the same has not been notified by the 1 st respondent University.

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2. The petitioner had given several representations to the 1 st

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respondent University to notify the “autonomous” status of the petitioner. Since the representations have not been considered, the petitioner has filed this writ petition.

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3. Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Special Government Pleader, accepts notice on behalf of the 1 st respondent and Ms.V.Sudha, learned Page No.2 of 6

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W.P.No.16105 of 2026

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Senior Central Government Standing Counsel, accepts notice on behalf of the 2 nd respondent.

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4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties and perused the materials available on record.

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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 1 st respondet to notify the autonomous status as declared by the 2 nd 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.

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W.P.No.16105 of 2026

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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 1 st respondent University to notify the “autonomous” status of the petitioner-College in terms of the declaration of autonomous status granted by the 2 nd 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.

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24.04.2026

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Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order Neutral Citation Case : Yes/No sp

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W.P.No.16105 of 2026

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