Mrk Institute of Technology v. The Anna University,

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

2.Mr.U.Baranidharan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the first respondent and Mr.P.G.Gopinathan, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the second respondent.

3.This petition has been filed seeking a direction to 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 Page2 of 6 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 09.09.2024 in line with the Judgment rendered in W.A.No.51 of 2020, dated 14.02.2020 as confirmed in S.L.P.(Civil) Nos.8324-8325 of 2020, dated 24.07.2020.

4.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is the Administrative Officer of the petitioner Engineering College. The petitioner approached the 2nd respondent seeking conferment of autonomous status for a period of ten years from the academic year 2024-2025 to 2033-2034, and received a communication from the 2nd respondent dated

09.09.2024 granting such conferment Pursuant thereto, the petitioner approached the 1st respondent University, fulfilled all procedural requirements, and submitted the necessary documents, including the UGC e-mail regarding conferment of autonomous status, for issuance of notification by the 1st respondent. However, the 1st respondent failed to issue any notification. Hence, the present writ petition has been filed.

5.The 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, Page3 of 6 wherein this Court had elaborately dealt with the matter 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,

6.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. 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. 13-05-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Uma Page4 of 6 To

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

2.The Secretary University Grants Commission Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002. Page5 of 6 WPoNo.o19295oofo2026 L.VICTORIAoGOWRI,oJ. Uma WPoNo.o19295oofo2026 13-05-2026 Page6oofo6

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 13-05-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI MRK Institute of Technology Kattumannarkoil - 6080301. Rep. by its Administrative Officer, Dr.E.Gokulakannan, M/40, S/o.K.Elamparithi, Nattarmangalam Post, Kattumannrkoil - 608301, Cuddalore District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The Anna University, Rep. by its Registrar Chennai-600 025. 2.The University Grants Commission Rep. by its Secretary, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi - 110002. ..Respondent(s) 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 09.09.2024 in line with the Page1 of 6 Judgment rendered in W.A.No.51 of 2020, dated 14.02.2020 as confirmed in S.L.P.(Civil) Nos.8324-8325 of 2020, dated 24.07.2020. For Petitioner(s): Mr.C.Prakasam For Respondent(s): Mr.U.Baranidharan for R1 Standing Counsel Mr.P.G.Gopinathan for R2 Standing Counsel