SC to hear EPSI Writ on Dec 4 against AICTE-PGDM notification 2010; Seeks autonomy to PGDM 2016 admissions

The Writ petition filed by EPSI seeking extension of stay against the AICTE notification dated Dec 28, 2010 on PGDM B-schools will come up for hearing at the Honourable Supreme Court of India on December 4, 2015 in the bench of Justice Iqbal.

The extension in stay is sought to clear the way for PGDM admission process in academic session 2016-17 in 600 PGDM B-schools and for restoring the status quo and autonomy of PGDM institutions for the year academic year 2016-17.

Education Promotion Society for India (EPSI) leadership has met HRD Minister Smriti Irani on September 2, 2015 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 are yet to yield the desired result.

Now as admission process for academic session to PGDM 2016-17 is about to begin shortly, EPSI has requested and sought the directive from the Supreme Court of India on extension of prevailing interim orders for the Academic Year 2016-2017 and direct the respondent AICTE to continue the approvals for the Academic Year 2016-2017 for admissions.

Commenting on the need for filing petition in Supreme Court, Dr H Chaturvedi, Alt President, EPSI said, Since we have not got support from MHRD or AICTE on this burning issue for admission of students for the year 2016-17, it is necessary to obtain extension of stay from the Honble Supreme Court of India.

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institutions with regards to admission, curriculum framing, evaluation, fee fixing and governance was proposed to be withdrawn.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 Honble Supreme Court in its four interim orders issued on March 17, 2011, July 26, 2011, March 1, 2012, August 29, 2013 and October 15, 2014 has restored the status quo and stayed AICTEs 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 expected to support EPSI, which is fighting for the cause of autonomy and level-paying field for PGDM institutions.