Summary
The Supreme Court clarified its distance-engineering-degree judgment and granted a limited one-time protection for eligible 2001–05 enrollees taking the first AICTE test in May–June 2018. Diploma validity had not been decided, but both graduate and postgraduate engineering degrees were covered. Subsequent employment, selection or higher study did not cure the underlying defects. Eligible first-attempt candidates could temporarily retain degrees and benefits, subject to the specified deadline and success conditions. All other requested exemptions were rejected.
Issues
- Which qualifications were covered by the earlier judgment and whether later career advancement justified exemption.
- What temporary first-test protection could be granted to eligible enrollees.
Held
- Diploma courses were outside the subject matter of the earlier judgment; their validity was not adjudicated. Graduate and postgraduate engineering degrees were within it. The clarification did not itself validate distance diplomas or exempt master’s engineering degrees. (¶¶ 3, 4)
- VMRF’s stronger engineering profile did not overcome absence of AICTE approval for the distance mode and uninspected study centres. ITM’s asserted reputation, later competitive selection, employment and higher qualifications likewise did not cure the foundational defect or justify dispensing with testing. (¶¶ 5, 6, 7)
- As a one-time exception, eligible candidates enrolled in academic years 2001–05 who opted for the forthcoming May–June 2018 test could retain degrees and advantages until one month after results or 31 July 2018, whichever was earlier. Passing the first attempt preserved advantages; failure or non-appearance triggered the earlier suspension and withdrawal directions. (¶¶ 7(a), 7(b))
- The second opportunity remained available under the earlier judgment, but this temporary protection did not extend to it. AICTE had to conduct and report the first test in time and suitably extend the option deadline. Apart from this relaxation and the diploma clarification, other submissions were rejected. (¶¶ 7(b), 7(c), 8, 9)
Result
Applications and petitions disposed of with the diploma-scope clarification and limited first-test protection for eligible 2001–05 enrollees. Other exemptions refused. No costs.