Once again endorsing the plea of PGDM institutions that the autonomy of PGDM institutes is vitally important for future growth trajectory of Indian Economy and the AICTE should refrain from trampling it, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India granted extension of stay to EPSI against the AICTE controversial order of Dec 28, 2010 trying to disrupt the autonomy of PGDM B-schools around 12 noon on December 16, 2016.
The decision on Stay on Writ Petition (Civil) of Education Promotion Society for India & others was delivered by the bench of judges comprising Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and Justice Chandrachud today. The petition was duly heard and after the hearing the Apex Court granted extension of stay to EPSI against the AICTE controversial order of Dec 28, 2010 trying to disrupt the autonomy of PGDM B-schools.
Sharing the development and hailing the historical stay granted by the apex court Dr H. Chaturvedi, Alt President EPSI said “Both the EPSI and and AIMS have been touch with the Chairman, AICTE who is trying to resolve it amicably. Since it is taking time, we had to go to the Supreme Court. Now with the order of the apex court cloud of suspicion on PGDM admissions for the next year are clear and we can go ahead for conducting GD/Interview.”
EPSI proposes to continue to pursue MHRD and AICTE for an amicable settlement based on mutual trust and understanding. Sharing the PGDM institutes’ point of view Dr Chaturvedi says “We are confident that the policymakers will understand our point of view. Our only request to them is to allow us to work in such a way that we are able to compete globally and make India a hub for MBA education”
PGDM institutes under the EPSI Umbrella presented and pushed the demand for extension of stay for academic session 2017-18 against the AICTE notification 2010 on PGDM B-schools in the Supreme Court and again emerged winner in successfully getting extension of Stay for 2017-18.
After weighing the appeals and arguments from EPSI and AICTE, Hon’ble Supreme Court decided to extend the stay against AICTE order of Dec 2010. Now the the autonomy and status quo of PGDM B-schools on the Writ petition filed by EPSI will continue for 2017-18 also after the grant of extension of stay by Honourable Supreme Court of India.
The PGDM institutes were in dilemma whether they could go ahead with their PGDM admission process for the academic year 2017-18. Now with this order the fog stands cleared.
The order of Apex court comes as a great relief to PGDM B-schools who could not proceed with the admission process for the academic session 2017-18 as the earlier stay of the Supreme Court against AICTE notification was valid only for the academic year 2016-17.
The PGDM institutes will now be able to continue with their autonomous status and will accept admissions as earlier for the academic year 2017-18.
The extension in stay was sought to clear the way for PGDM admission process in academic session 2017-18 in 600 PGDM B-schools and for restoring the status quo and autonomy of PGDM institutions for the year academic year 2017-18. Accordingly EPSI filed a Writ petition which came up for hearing in the Supreme court and the favourable decision was passed by the apex court.
The Writ petition was filed when matter was not sorted out either by MHRD or AICTE. Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI) leadership earlier met HRD Minister and made a representation to solve the issue, and has also been trying to seek guidance from Chairman, AICTE to resolve the issue amicably, their efforts could not yield the desired and timely result.
Since the admission process for academic session to PGDM 2017-18 is about to begin shortly, EPSI was left with no alternative but to seek the directive from the Supreme Court of India on extension of prevailing interim orders for the Academic Year 2017-2018 and requested the Apex court to direct the respondent AICTE to continue the approvals for the Academic Year 2017-2018 for admissions.
It should be remembered that PGDM B-schools were created on the lines of IIMs by MHRD, Government of India as independent Centers of Excellence. In last 50 years, B-schools like XLRI, SPJIMR, MDI, IMI, IMT, TAPMI, BIMTECH and many others have met their promise by providing quality education to lakhs of the students.
Since 1987, as the statutory regulator, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has framed policies for PGDM B-schools and PGDM B-schools have abided by it. However, on December 28, 2010, AICTE issued a notification under which autonomy of PGDM institutions with regards to admission, curriculum framing, evaluation, fee fixing and governance was proposed to be withdrawn. Since it had spelt disaster for the autonomy and effective functioning of PGDM programme, PGDM institutions had to approach the Supreme Court in the matter.
The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its four interim orders issued on March 17, 2011, July 26, 2011, March 1, 2012, August 29, 2013, October 15, 2014 and December 4, 2015 has restored the status quo and stayed AICTE’s Notification of December 2010.
Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI), a not for profit autonomous society with mandate from Universities and institutions as its members is the frontrunner to deliberate on the issues and concern to raise education quality and attain benchmark standards of the national and international level.
Other association and bodies are also supporting EPSI, which is fighting for the cause of autonomy and level-paying field for PGDM institutions.
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Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on Supreme court order against AICTE notification
