IGNOU B.Tech Degrees/Diploma through distance gets big boost; SC says AICTE approval not needed
Manashjyoti | August 3, 2018 | 07:50 PM IST
NEW DELHI, AUGUST 3: B.Tech Degrees and Diploma courses offered through distance mode by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) are set to take off like never before, with a new directive from Supreme Court of India that reads it (IGNOU) no longer needs the AICTE’s approval for offering these programmes.
The decision was pronounced on July 30 by a Bench of Justices - Rohinton Fali Nariman and Indu Malhotra, in response to a petition filed by some twenty-one IGNOU degree and diploma holders. The petitioners had argued that the technical degrees and diplomas awarded by IGNOU through open and distance mode are not only valid, but are equivalent to Degrees/ Diplomas/ Certificates awarded by many traditional universities or institutes approved by AICTE.
The petitioners were represented in Court by Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora and advocate D Abhinav Rao.
For delivering the judgement, the bench cited the similar case of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University vs. The Chairman and Managing Director, Transmission Corporation of Telangana Ltd. & Ors. (Civil Appeal Nos. 36973698/ 2018), which was decided on April 10, 2018.
In that particular case, the court had opined that since the appellant University was set up by a State Statute, it must definitely have followed AICTE norms meaning additional approval isn’t required.
The Court in its judgement said it saw no difference between the two cases, and maintained that IGNOU is bound to follow all AICTE norms rigorously, despite it being relieved of requirement of AICTE approval.
IGNOU vs Deemed to be Universities: A study in contrast
The decision by the Supreme Court brings to mind another order it passed in November 2018, when it barred Deemed to be Universities from offering distance courses from the Academic Session 2018- 2019. And if they wanted to, they have to get express permission from the concerned authorities.
However, in light of the recent decision, it would be interesting to see if any of them would also try to get the same privilege granted to IGNOU.
Follow us for the latest education news on colleges and universities, admission, courses, exams, research, education policies, study abroad and more..
To get in touch, write to us at news@careers360.com.
Featured News
]- National Digital University to be ‘world’s largest online university’: UGC Chairman
- Lok Sabha Election 2024: Over 50 students, teachers arrested over past 5 years
- Diversity and inclusion ‘all on paper’, writes a transgender activist on experience at work
- ‘This is terrible’: West Bengal teachers who fought recruitment scam dismayed by cancellation
- More women joining engineering with scholarships, affirmative action in admission, placements
- BTech in Marathi: How PCCOE Pune is showing the way
- ‘We hope to admit students from outside Kerala’: CET Trivandrum principal
- IIIT Bangalore plans to launch BTech programmes, says director
- COMEDK UGET ‘model exam’ for engineering colleges: Executive Secretary
- Top IT companies have cut thousands of jobs in past months, reports on headcounts show