University Grants Commission Vs Annamalai University & Ors. Etc.
The Supreme Court granted leave and considered appeals filed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) against a judgment of the Madras High Court. The High Court had upheld the primacy of the UGC to frame regulations governing distance education programmes but also held that degrees issued to students enrolled in such programmes pursuant to interim orders of the High Court would remain valid. The UGC challenged this limited aspect of the judgment.
While issuing notice on 05.07.2023, the Supreme Court recorded the submission of the Solicitor General that although the impugned judgment largely favoured the UGC, the grievance was confined to the protection granted to students who had undergone courses pursuant to interim orders. The Court referred to its earlier decision in Orissa Lift Irrigation Corporation Ltd. v. Rabi Sankar Patro (2018) 1 SCC 468, particularly paragraphs 48 and 66.7, which addressed issues concerning technical degrees obtained through distance education. Observing that the earlier case related specifically to technical education, the Court sought affidavits from the parties identifying the degrees in question and directed that notice be issued to the respondent universities. It also sought the view of Indira Gandhi National Open University.
