Supreme Court Approves AICTE's Revised Calendar For Academic Year 2022-2023

The Supreme Court, on Monday, approved the amended calendar for the academic year 2022-2023 as proposed by All India Council for Technical Education ("AICTE") for admission to engineering and other courses under its supervision.A Bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai noted that in view of the pandemic, the academic calendar for the term 2021-2022 had also been extended. The AICTE emphasised that the dates previously fixed by the Apex Court for the academic year 2022-2023 could not be adhered to in light of the surge in the COVID-19 cases during the third wave. Accordingly, it requested the Bench to approve the revised calendar for 2022-2023. "There has been a delay in processing applications, hearing appeals and in making admissions in the last 2 years in view of the pandemic. Periodically at the request of AICTE last dates according to the schedule fixed by this Court has been extended even for 2021-2022. AICTE has brought to the notice of the court that the dates fixed by this Court could not be adhered to for 2022-23 in view of Third wave of covid. As institutions have been closed, inspection by expert committees, verification and scrutinies could not be held within time. Taking into account the extraordinary situation…we approve the revised calendar which is proposed by AICTE in the proposed terms."At the outset the Bench enquired, "Why do we need to approve each year's calendar?" Additional Solicitor General, Mr. K.M. Nataraj apprised the Bench that as per the direction of the Apex Court in Parshavanath Charitable Trust And Anr. v. All India Council For Technical Educations And Ors. C.A. No. 9048 of 2012, AICTE is to seek the Supreme Court's approval every time the academic schedule is amended. "In Parshavanath charitable trust case, this Court had said…if you want to amend."The Bench asked Mr. Nataraj about the deadline under the revised schedule for grant/rejection of approval to colleges. Only the colleges which receive approval before the cut-off date would be permitted to be included in the list of colleges to which admission are to be made for the concerned academic year as indicated in the Parshavanath judgment. "What is last date for grant or refusal of approval?"Mr. Nataraj responded, "10th April."Seeking confirmation, the Bench stated, "So, you want it to be 10th July?"It further added: "All this is because of COVID?"Mr. Nataraj responded in the affirmative. The Bench indicated that in case of any further changes, AICTE should approach the Apex Court for approval. "In case of any change, come back."[Case Title: Parshavanath Charitable Trust And Anr. v. India Council For Technical Education And Ors. M.A. No. 287 of 2022 in C.A. No. 9048 of 2012]Click Here To Read/Download Order

Supreme Court Approves AICTE's Revised Calendar For Academic Year 2022-2023

Sohini Chowdhury

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