Allowed

Jeppiaar Engineering College v. Anna University

Madras HC13 May 2026WP/19326/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

An engineering college granted autonomous status by the UGC sought a mandamus directing Anna University to notify that status under Regulation 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023. Following an earlier order in similar writ petitions, the Court allowed the petition and directed notification within four weeks.

What did the court decide?

Direction to first respondent University to notify the petitioner College's autonomous status under Clause 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023 within four weeks; no costs.

Jeppiaar Engineering College Vs Anna University — Education and Admissions | Madras HC (2026)

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Writ Petition No.19326 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 13-05-2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI

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Writ Petition No.19326 of 2026

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Jeppiaar Engineering College represented by its Principal, Jeppiaar Nagar, Old Mamallapuram Road, Chennai - 600 119.

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.. Petitioner

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1.The Anna University, Rep. by its Registrar, Chennai-600 025.

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

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..Respondents

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Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, 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 College in the order of the University Grants Commission in No.F.2-10/2023 (AC Policy) dated 09.04.2026 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.(Civil) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated 15.10.2025.

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

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Writ Petition No.19326 of 2026

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

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ORDER

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By consent of both parties, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.

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Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of

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the first respondent and Ms.V.Sudha, learned Senior Central Government Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the second respondent.

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This petition has been filed seeking a direction to the first respondent

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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 pursuant to the order of the University Grants Commission in No.F.2-10/2023 (AC Policy) dated 09.04.2026 in line with the judgment rendered 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.(Civil) Nos.29146, 29057 and 29233 of 2025 dated

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15.10.2025.

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

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Writ Petition No.19326 of 2026

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Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the Principal of the petitioner Engineering College. The petitioner approached the second respondent seeking conferment of autonomous status for a period of ten years from the academic year 2026-2027 to 2035-2036 and received a communication from the second respondent dated 09.04.2026 granting such conferment. Pursuant thereto, the petitioner approached the first respondent University, fulfilled all procedural requirements and submitted necessary documents including the UGC e-mail regarding conferment of autonomous status, for issuance of notification by the first respondent. However, the first respondent failed to issue any notification. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

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Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that the issue involved in the present writ petition is squarely covered by the order dated 05.02.2025 passed by this Court in W.P.Nos.35, 38 and 39 of 2025, wherein this Court had elaborately dealt with the issue and directed the respondent University to notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner College in terms of Clause 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023.

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Fully fortified by the order passed by this Court in W.P.Nos.35, 38, and 39 of 2025, this Court is of the view that the writ petition deserves to be allowed.

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

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Writ Petition No.19326 of 2026

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L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

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gm/gpa

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Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed with a direction to the first respondent University to notify the autonomous status granted to the petitioner College in terms of Clause 4.2 of the UGC Regulations 2023, 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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13-05-2026

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Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No gm/gpa

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

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

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Writ Petition No.19326 of 2026

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