Tuples Educational Society ... vs State Of U.P. Through The ...

JUDGMENT H.L. Gokhale, C.J.

1. These two writ petitions filed at the main seat of this Court at Allahabad, are concerning the procedure of admissions to the B.Ed. colleges run by private unaided institutions, situated in the State of Uttar Pradesh. The first writ petition (hereinafter referred to as 'Tuples Society Petition') is concerning an educational institution, which is affiliated to Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut whereas the second writ petition (hereinafter referred to as Maa Sharda College Petition') is concerning an educational institution, which is affiliated to the Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur. The Tuples Society Petition is concerning the academic year 2006-07, whereas Maa Sharda College Petition is concerning the academic year 2005-06. The Tuples Society Petition sought to quash the Circular dated 13.6.2007, issued by the Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut, which informed the petitioners that the admissions to the academic year 2006-07 for the B.Ed. course will be effected through counselling by the University and sought a mandamus restraining the University from compelling the petitioners to admit students on the basis of the Common Entrance Test (CET) conducted by the University and also a mandamus restraining the respondents from interfering with the petitioners' right to admit the students of its choice in the concerned academic year or in future.

2. Maa Sharda College Petition is filed by one Gajendra Yadav and four others, who are the students admitted by this College on its own and not from the merit list prepared by the University. This petition sought a mandamus to direct the Purvanchal University to hold annual examination of B.Ed, course 2005-06 for the petitioners and other similarly placed students of this College along with the other students, whose admission was made from the merit list sent by the University.

3. Since the writ petitions are concerning the admissions to the B.Ed. course, it is to be noted, at the outset that for the two academic years concerned, i.e., 2005-06 & 2006-07, no State-level common entrance test was held either by an association of all such private unaided educational institutions or by the State Government. As far as these two academic years are concerned, common entrance tests for B.Ed. admissions were held by each of the Universities in the State of Uttar Pradesh for all the educational institutions within each University area, and in. 2006-07, about 3.15 lacs students appeared therein. It is reported that some 300 educational institutions imparting the course of B.Ed. were set up in Uttar Pradesh by the year 20(35-06, as stated by one such unaided institution to the Apex Court (the order is referred later on in this judgment). There is no dispute that from the academic year 2007-08 onwards, the State of Uttar Pradesh has stalled holding one Common Entrance Test for all B.Ed. entrants of the entire State.

4. The submission of the petitioners in both the writ petitions has been that during 2005-06 and 2006-07, in the absence of a common entrance test conducted by all the educational institutions coming together, or by the State Government, the private unaided educational institutions were entitled to grant admissions to the students on the basis of the marks obtained in the last qualifying examination or school leaving certificate stage followed by an interview. The submission of the respondents has been that the admissions to the B.Ed course during these two academic years are made through the University level examination, which is regulated by the statutory orders, that are permissible and valid under Section 28 (5) of the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973. The submissions of the rival parties are required to be examined in the light of the law laid down by the Apex Court in three judgments, i.e., (i) TMA Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka decided on 31.10.2002/25.11.2002 and , (ii) Islamic Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka decided on 14.8.2003 and and (iii) P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharasthra decided on 12.8.2005 and reported in (2005) 6 SCC 537.

5. By the time, these two writ petitions were filed at Allahabad, some writ petitions were filed before Lucknow Bench of this High Court and the orders passed therein are necessary to be noted.

(i) One such writ petition was filed at Lucknow by an institution known as C. Impact Institution, bearing No. 3022 (M/B) of 2006 and was concerning the admission of the academic year 2006-2007 and came to be heard before a learned Single Judge (Hon'ble S.N. Shukla, J.). The petition sought to challenge the order dated 15.2,2006, issued by the State Government directing the Registrars of all State Universities, to hold University level entrance examination for B.Ed, admissions for the academic session 2006-07 on one common date, i.e., 4.6.2006. Each University was to hold its own examination at the University level, but on the same day. This decision of the State Government was upheld by the Committee for Fairness and Transparency in Admission Procedure of Technical, Medical and other professional courses headed by Hon'ble Justice H.N. Tilhari (Retd.) appointed by the State Government (hereinafter referred to as 'Justice Tilhari Committee') in pursuance to the order passed by the Apex Court. The order passed by the Justice Tilhari Committee on 1.6.2006 was also challenged in this petition. The learned Single Judge passed an order on 22.6.2006, whereby he permitted an association of such educational institutions (though it was admittedly not representing all the institutions) to hold a common entrance test. The examination was, however, permitted to be held subject to the supervision of Justice Tilhari Committee. The petitioners filed an application in that petition for clarification of this order. The learned Single Judge disposed it off on 12.9.2006, by permitting the Committee to keep watch on this proposed examination. The C. Impact Institution filed a Special Leave Petition (Civil), bearing No. 16405 of 2006, against this order dated 12.9.2006 to the Apex Court. The Apex Court passed the following orders on 29.9.2006:

Issue notice.

Heard counsel for the petitioners. He submits that there are 300 colleges which are members of the Association and they want to conduct Common Entrance Test in the last week of October, 2006. The examination would be conducted under the supervision and guidance of the Committee for Unbiased and Transparent Admission Procedure in Technical and other Professional Course.

Thus, the Common Entrance Test was to be held under the supervision of Justice Tilhari Committee. The State filed its counter affidavit to this Special Leave Petition and moved an application to dismiss this Special Leave Petition. The S.L.P. came up before the Apex Court on 19.10.2006 when the Court passed the following orders:

Heard both sides.

The special leave petition is dismissed.

This writ petition No. 3022 of 2006 is pending for final hearing. However, what is material to note is that this Common Entrance Test of the Association has not been held.

(ii) Another writ petition, bearing No.5674 (MS) of 2006 was filed by the Uttar Pradesh Management Association of Self-Finance Teachers Training Colleges against the State of Uttar Pradesh and others (hereinafter referred to as Management Association petition), which was also concerning admissions to B.Ed. course for the academic year 2006-07. It sought to challenge the orders of Justice Tilhari Committee dated 25.9.2006 and of the State Government dated 7.11.2006. The order dated 25.9.2006 passed by the Justice Tilhari Committee held that it will not be proper to allow the association to hold Common Entrance Test principally for the reasons that all the Self-finance Institutions had not become its members and also that the conduct of the Secretary of the Association showed that it lacks transparency, fairness and non-explosiveness. The order passed by the State Government on 7.11.2006 had restrained the association from conducting any entrance test. The association sought to hold a Common Entrance Test and to give admissions on the basis of qualifying marks. That writ petition was heard by another learned Single Judge (Hon'ble Rajiv Sharma, J.). The orders passed in Writ Petition No. 3022 of 2006 by other learned Single Judge as well as the Apex Court arising from the interim order therein were noted by the learned Single Judge. Amongst others, he held that all the concerned Colleges had not joined the Association and, therefore, examination held by the Association could not be valid. The learned Single Judge dismissed the writ petition on 14.12.2006. A Special Leave Petition has been filed against, this judgment and order, which is pending and wherein there is no interim order.

(iii) Third writ petition was filed by one Braj Raj Singh College, Kuberpur, District Firozabad against the State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors. bearing Writ Petition No. 944 (MS) of 2006. The College was affiliated to Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra. It was concerning earlier academic year 2005-06. It sought to challenge the Government Order dated 14.9.2005, whereby the State Government had directed to make admissions of the students under the management quota only from the merit list of the entrance examination conducted by the University. The writ petition sought to challenge another order dated 31.10.2005, issued by the State Government, which fixed the quota of the management of the Colleges, at 15% for the unaided non-minority institutions and 50% for unaided minority institutions. The learned Single Judge (Hon'ble S.N. Shukla, J.), who heard the matter, allowed this writ petition by his judgment and order dated 24.4.2006. Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra preferred a Special Appeal before Division Bench against this judgment and order, bearing Special Appeal No. 491 of 2006. This special appeal and two other special appeals, bearing No. 263 of 2007 and No. 672 of 2006, came to be heard by a Division Bench of Hon'ble Pradeep Kant & Hon'ble Ajai Kumar Singh, JJ., who dismissed these appeals by their judgment and order dated 23.5.2007 (hereinafter referred to as the Dr. Ambedkar University, Agra appeals).

6. When the Tuples Society Petition came up for consideration before a learned Single Judge at Allahabad (Hon'ble Sunil Ambwani, J.), the petitioners placed reliance upon the judgment of the Division Bench in Dr. Ambedkar University Agra's appeal and other appeals, which was annexed to the writ petition. As against that, the respondents brought to the notice of the Court the judgment of the learned Single Judge in the Management association petition. As it is noted above, the judgment of a Single Judge in Management association case, did not permit the individual unaided colleges to have admission procedure of their own, whereas the judgment of Division Bench in Dr. Ambedkar University, Agra's case, did permit them to admit students on their own and held the University-wise separate examinations to be invalid.

7. The learned Judge (Hon'ble Sunil Ambwani, J.) was of the view that the orders passed by various benches have caused uncertainty, which must be laid to rest. The learned Single Judge was of the view that it was necessary to decide certain questions thereby arising by a larger bench, one of the questions being as to whether the admissions to private unaided colleges could be made by any method other than by holding a common entrance test either by the State/Universities or by the association of the Colleges. He specifically observed that the Management Association judgment required reconsideration. He, therefore, by his order dated 8.8.2007 framed the following questions for reference to a larger Bench:

1. Whether the admissions to private unaided (minority and non-minority) colleges imparting education for Bachelor of Education Courses recognized by NCTE and affiliated to the University can be made by any method other than by holding a common entrance test either by the State/Universities or by all the colleges of the State coming together as provided in P.A. Inamdar's case?

2. Whether the judgment rendered by learned Single Judge on 14.12.2006 in Writ Petition No. 5674 (M/S) of 2006: U.P. Management Association of Self Finance Teachers Training Colleges v. State of U.P. and Ors. has correctly appreciated the TMA Pai, Islamic Academy and P.A. Inamdar's case and has laid down correct law?

3. Whether in the absence of any common entrance test held by all the colleges coming together or a common entrance test conducted by the State Government or all the Universities in the State the admissions can be made through the entrance examination held by individual universities providing list of students through counselling to these colleges?

4. Whether the entire process of admissions to these colleges must be left to the supervision of the Justice H.N. Tilhari (Retd.) Committee constituted by the State Government in terms of the decisions issued in P.A. Inamdar's case?

8. The Tuples Society Petition was thereafter directed to be placed before a Division Bench by an order passed by one of us (Chief Justice) on the administrative side on 6.9.2007 The writ petition appeared before two of us (H.L. Gokhale, Chief Justice & Anjani Kumar, J.) on 12.9.2007. The learned Counsel for both the parties were heard before the Division Bench, when it was submitted by the respondents that the controversy ought to be decided by a Larger Bench. The Division Bench directed the papers to be placed before the Chief Justice, on the administrative side, to constitute a Larger Bench. Thereafter by an order passed by one of us (the Chief Justice) on the administrative side on 20.11.2007, this Full bench has been constituted for deciding the above four issues.

9. Maa Sharda College Petition came up before another learned Single Judge at Allahabad (Hon'ble Rajes Kumar, J) on 22.11.2007. The learned Judge noted that the petition raised similar issues as in Tuples Society Petition and that an order to refer four issues to the Larger Bench was already passed therein. He was however, of the view that two more issues were required to be decided and the matter be referred to a Full Bench. The teamed Single Judge framed the following additional two issues:

1. Whether for the session 2005-06 the students admitted to the management of the private unaided colleges imparting education for B.Ed. recognized by NCTE and affiliated to Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur on the basis of their procedure of admission can be said to be properly and legally admitted students and entitled for the study examination and the declaration of the result.

2. Whether the decision of the Division Bench of Lucknow in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007; Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra v. S.S. College, Barbarpur. Sikandara, Agra and Anr. lays down the correct law and covers the issues involved in the present writ petition.

10. Thereafter by an order passed by one of us (Chief Justice) on 27.11.2007 on the administrative side, this writ petition was also directed to be connected with Tuples Society Petition and to be placed before the larger beach. Accordingly, notices have been issued to all concerned for determination of the aforesaid six issues. Inasmuch as some petitions were filed in Allahabad and some in Lucknow, this Full Bench heard the counsel appearing for the petitioners as well as for the respondents first in Allahabad and subsequently in Lucknow, to give full opportunity to all concerned including the interveners.

11. Objections to the maintainability of the reference:

The learned Counsel appearing for the petitioners, private unaided institutions and the students, at the outset objected to the maintainability of the reference itself. According to them, the controversy was covered by the judgment of Division Bench rendered in Dr. Ambedkar University, Agra's case and there was no occasion for the two learned Single Judges (Sunil Ambwani, J. and Rajes Kumar, J.) to refer the questions to a Larger Bench. It was submitted that the two learned Single Judges and later on the Division Bench and the Chief Justice in the referring order, ought to have given reasons for making the reference, and that the reference is not to be made merely for asking. Judicial discipline and propriety require that two learned Single Judges (Justice Sunil Ambwani and Justice Rajes Kumar) ought to have followed the law laid down in Dr. Ambedkar University, Agra's case, even if they had a different view of the matter. It was also submitted that the Chief Justice ought not to have nominated himself on the Bench.

12. Now as far as the jurisdiction of the Judges, either sitting alone or in Division Bench Courts is concerned, it is governed under Chapter-V of the Allahabad High Court Rules, 1952. Rule-1 of this Chapter provides for constitution of Benches. It reads as follows:

1. Constitution of Benches.-Judges shall sit alone or in such Division Courts as may be constituted from time to time and do such work as may be allotted to them by order of the Chief Justice or in accordance with his directions.

Rule-2 of this Chapter lays down the jurisdiction of the Single Judge. Proviso (a) and (b) of this Rule are relevant for our purpose. These two provisos read as follows:

2. Jurisdiction of a single Judge.- Except as provided by these Rules or other law, the following cases shall be heard and disposed of by a Judge sitting alone, namely:

(i) ...

(ii) ...

(iii) ...

(iv) ...

(v) ...

(vi) ...

(vii) ...

(viii) ...

(ix) ...

(a) the Chief Justice may direct that any case or class of cases which may be heard by a Judge sitting alone shall be heard by a Bench of two or more Judges [or that any case or class of cases which may be heard by a Bench of two or more Judges, by a Judge sitting alone];

(b) a Judge may, if be thinks fit, refer a case which may be heard by a Judge sitting alone on any question of law arising therein for decision to a larger Bench; and

(c) ...

Rule 6 of this Chapter is also relevant for our purpose, which speaks of a reference to a Larger Bench, which reads as follows:

6. Reference to a larger Bench.-The Chief Justice may constitute a Bench of two or more Judges to decide a case or any question of law formulated by a Bench hearing a case. In the latter event the decision of such Bench on the question so formulated shall be returned to the Bench hearing the case and that Bench shall follow that decision on such question and dispose of the case after deciding the remaining questions, if any, arising therein.

13. When these Rules are read together, it is seen that under proviso (b) of Rule 2, a Judge, who is sitting singly, if he thinks fit, may refer a case, which he is hearing sitting singly, on a question of law arising therein for a decision to a Larger Bench. The proviso (a) reserves the power of the Chief Justice that he may direct any case or class of cases, which may be heard by a Judge sitting alone, shall be heard by a Bench of two or more Judges. Rule-6 of this Chapter lays down the power of the Chief Justice to constitute a Bench of two or more Judges, which can be so done either to decide a case or any question of law formulated by Bench hearing a case. These provisions answer the challenge to the reference to the Full Bench for determination of the issues As far as the objection to the Chief Justice nominating himself on a judicial Bench is concerned, the same has been repelled by a Full Bench of this Court in Kashi Nath Misra v. Chancellor, University of Allahabad reported in MR 1967 (AIM) 101 (see para-19). The objection that the Chief Justice has not given reasons, while referring the matter to the Full Bench is equally untenable. In para 42 of a judgment of a Full Bench of this Court in Sanjay Kumar Srivastava v. Acting Chief Justice and Ors. reported at 1996 AWC 644 (Per. S. Saghir Ahmad, J., as His Lordship then was in this High Court), it is held as follows:

42. The contention that the impugned order does not contain reason is also to be rejected as the Chief Justice under the Rules of the Court has the exclusive jurisdiction to refer any case for hearing and disposal by Bench of more than two Judges. In order to constitute a Bench of two or more Judges to decide the case, the Chief Justice is under no obligation to set out the reasons.

This judgment has been quoted with approval by the Apex Court in State of Rajasthan v. Prakash Chand reported at .

14. As far as the law with respect to bench of a lesser coram seeking a reference to a Larger Bench is concerned, the legal position has been settled by a constitution Bench of the Apex Court in Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community v. State of Maharashtra reported at . In para 12, the Apex Court has laid down the law (though in the context of reference in the Apex Court), which is as follows:

12. Having carefully considered the submissions made by the learned Senior Counsel for the parties and having examined the Saw laid down by the Constitution Benches in the abovesaid decisions, we would like to sum up the legal position in the following terms:

(1) The law laid down by this Court in a decision delivered by a Bench of larger strength is binding on any subsequent Bench of lesser or coequal strength.

(2) A Bench of lesser quorum cannot disagree or dissent from the view of the law taken by a Bench of larger quorum. In case of doubt all that the Bench of lesser quorum can do is to invite the attention of the Chief Justice and request for the matter being placed for hearing before a Bench of larger quorum than the Bench whose decision has come up for consideration. It will be open only for a Bench of coequal strength to express an opinion doubting the correctness of the view taken by the earlier Bench of coequal strength, whereupon the matter may be placed for hearing before a Bench consisting of a quorum larger than the one which pronounced the decision laying down the law the correctness of which is doubted.

(3) The above rules are subject to two exceptions: (i) the abovesaid rules do not bind the discretion of the Chief Justice in whom vests the power of framing the roster and who can direct any particular matter to be placed for hearing before any particular Bench of any strength; and (ii) in spite of the rules laid down hereinabove, if the matter has already come up for hearing before a Bench of larger quorum and that Bench itself feels that the view of the law taken by a Bench of lesser quorum, which view is in doubt, needs correction or consideration then by way of exception (and not as a rule) and for reasons given by it, it may proceed to hear the case and examine the correctness of the previous decision in question dispensing with the need of a specific reference or the order of the Chief Justice constituting the Bench and such listing. Such was the situation in Raghuvir Singh and Hamoli Devi.

What is held by the Apex Court in para-10 of the judgment reported in Tribhovandas Purshottamdas Thakkar v. Ratilal Motilal Patel and Ors. reported at , is relevant for our purpose in the context of references in the High Court and it answers the objection raised by the petitioners. Para-10 reads as follows:

10. ...When it appears to a Single Judge or a Division Bench that there are conflicting decisions of the same Court, or there are decisions of other High Courts in India which are strongly persuasive and take a different view from the view which prevails in his or their High Court, or that a question of law of importance arises in the trial of a case, the Judge or the Bench passes an order that the papers be placed before the Chief Justice of the High Court with a request to form a special or Full Bench to hear and dispose of the case or the questions raised in the case. For making such a request to the Chief Justice, no authority of the Constitution or of the Charter of the High Court is needed, and by making such a request a Judge does not assume to himself the powers of the Chief Justice. A Single Judge does not by himself refer the matter to the Full Bench: he only requests the Chief Justice to constitute a Full Bench for hearing the matter. Such a Bench is constituted by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice of a Court may as a rule, out of deference to the views expressed by his colleague, refer to the case; that does not mean, however, that the source of the authority is in the order of reference.

15. We may as well profitably refer to the proposition laid down in para-18 of Shri Bhagwan v. Ramchand , which is to the following effect:

18. ...It is hardly necessary to emphasise that considerations of judicial propriety and decorum require that if a learned single Judge hearing a matter is inclined to take the view that the earlier decisions of the High Court, whether of a Division Bench or of a single Judge, need to be re-considered, he should not embark upon that enquiry silting as a single Judge, but should refer the matter to a Division Bench or, in a proper case, place the relevant papers before the Chief Justice to enable him to constitute a larger Bench to examine the question. That is the proper and traditional way to deal with such matters and it is founded on healthy principles of judicial decorum and propriety....

16. In a judgment of a Full Bench of this Court in Natraj Chhabigrih, Sigra v. State of U.P. and Anr. reported at AIR 1996 (All.) 375 (Per. A.P. Misra, J., as his Lordship then was in this Court) amongst others, it is held in para 43 of the judgment that the power to reference has not to be scrutinized in a very closed jacket formula, and it is a procedure to deliver justice, In para 139, the Full Bench has deduced the principles from various judgments cited before it, and amongst others it has held that if there is a fundamental or grave error of such a character, which if allowed to continue, would affect the public interest, then the Court owes a duty to the public to correct that error, though a binding precedent cannot be overlooked merely because of the two plausible views.

In the circumstances, there is no substance in the objections raised to the maintainability of the reference and the same stand repelled.

17. The two judgments leading to the reference:

While dealing with the issues, which have been referred, we may once again refer to the two judgments, one by the learned Single Judge in the Management Association's case and the other of the Division Bench in Dr. Ambedkar University, Agra's case. In the Management Association's case, the Court was concerned with admissions to B.Ed. course for the academic year 2006-07. The association of Sell-Financing Colleges sought to challenge the order of Justice Tilhari Committee dated 25.9.2006 to begin with. That order held that it will not be proper to allow this association to hold the Common Entrance Test since all the Self-Financing Institutions had not become its members and the conduct of the Secretary of the association showed that It lacked transparency, fairness and non-explosiveness.

18. The second order, which was under challenge, was the order of the State Government dated 7.11.2006, which restrained the association from conducting any Entrance Test. The learned Single Judge referred to the earlier petition filed by C. Impact Institution and the orders passed therein by S.N. Shukla, J. as well as the Apex Court. He noted that the association was emphasizing the autonomy of the institutions and that in the absence of a single window system being introduced either by the State Government or by the association, the individual institutions were entitled to grant admissions on the basis of the marks received in the last qualifying examination. He noted that the association was emphasizing the proposition from the judgment of the Apex Court in TMA Pas's case (supra). At the same time, he rioted that the three judgments in the cases of TMA Pai, Islamic Academy and P.A. Inamdar (supra) did not refer to the subject covered by specific Legislation of the National Council for Teachers Education Act (hereinafter referred to as 'NCTE Act') and regulations framed thereunder. The learned Single Judge held, amongst others, as follows:

The special law under the Act is to prevail and operate and if action is taken by the State authorities such as the direction of State Government to hold B.Ed. common entrance test by all the universities with reference to the candidates seeking admissions in various colleges affiliated to respective universities in the State which action appears to be covered by the norms as indicated in Appendix-7 to the Regulations 2002 and not superseded or repealed by Regulation of the year 2005 "National Council for Teacher Education (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulation, 2005" instead adopted by the Regulation of 2005. The said common entrance test, which has been held by the respective universities, in which 3.15 lacs students appeared and a merit list has also been prepared and as such, there appears no reason for quashing the orders dated 25.9.2006 passed by the Committee as well as the order dated 7.11.2006 of the State Government.

19. Prior thereto, the learned Judge noted that under the NCTE Act, regulations were framed vide gazette publication dated 13.11.2002. Appendix-7 to these regulations contained norms and regulations for secondary education programme. The eligibility clause therein reads as follows:

3. Eligibility.

a) Candidates with at least, 45% marks in the Bachelor's/Master's Degree with at least two school subjects at the graduation level are eligible for admission.

(b) Admission should be made either on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination or in the entrance examination conducted by the University/State Government, as per the policy of the State Government University, to which the institution is affiliated.

(c) There shall be reservation of seats for SC/ST/OBC/Handicapped/Women etc. as per the rules of the concerned State Government.

20. The learned Judge thereafter held that the examination, which the State Government had asked the Universities to hold, was protected under the aforesaid Clause-3 (b). It was permitted under these regulations framed under the Central Act and the examination was being held as per the Government Order issued under Section 28 (5) of the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973. He noted that in the affidavit filed by the State Government, it had been specifically stated that in exercise of power conferred under Section 28 (5) of the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973 and also the NCTE Act, 1993 and the regulations framed thereunder, the State Government had issued an order dated 25.2.2006, for conducting the Entrance Test by the Universities. It was also stated that till 1.6.2006, there was no arrangement by the association for holding Enhance Test and that it was only in July, 2006, that it had engaged AIMA (All India Management Association) to conduct the Entrance Test and that the Universities had held the examination, on 4.6.2006 in pursuance to the Government Order dated 15.2.2006, and more than 3.15 lacs students had appeared in that examination. The teamed Judge, therefore, held that there was no reason to interfere with the order dated 25.9.2006 and Government Order dated 7.11.2006. The writ petition was, therefore, dismissed.

21. (i) As against this judgment of the learned Single Judge, the Division Bench in Dr. Ambedkar University, Agra's case, was of the view that the observations of the Apex Court in TMA Pai and the next two connected judgments govern the field since those judgments were about the professional courses. The Division Bench was concerned with the admissions to the academic year 2005-06. It framed two questions for its consideration, (i) whether the admissions said to have been made by the University to B.Ed. class were validly made, and (ii) whether the admissions made by the colleges on their own on the basis of advertisement published by them on the criteria of merit in the qualifying examination followed by an interview would mean validly admitting the students so that they may be allowed to pursue the study and to appeal in the examination. The Division Bench was hearing the appeal by the University against the judgment of a learned Single Judge (S.N. Shukla, J.), who had allowed the writ petition filed by the Colleges to have their own admissions. The learned Single Judge had set aside two communications of the State Government dated 14.9.2005 and 31.10.2005. The communication dated 14.9.2005 required the colleges to admit students to B.Ed. under the management quota only from the merit list of the Entrance Examination conducted by the University and the communication dated 31.10.2005 fixed the quota for the management at 15% for unaided non-minority institutions and 50% to the unaided minority institutions.

(ii) The Division Bench noted that earlier some petitions and appeals were decided including Special Appeal No. 220 of 2005 (which were concerning academic year 2004-05), wherein the State had not pressed the point regarding seats sharing between the State and the Management. However, it was contended by the State that since there was no association of ail such colleges and they had not held any such examination, therefore, the colleges could not be allowed to have their admissions on their own. The Division Bench noted that the State was defending its action under Section 28 (5) of the U.P. State Universities Act 1973 and the U.P. State Universities (Regulation of Admission to Courses of Instruction for Degree in Education in Affiliated, Associated and Constituent Colleges) Order, 1987. This order permitted the Universities to hold the University level entrance examination. The Division Bench noted that by an amendment effected on 1.9.2005, the State Government had permitted a State level examination to be held by the association of colleges. This was 5th Amendment to the aforesaid order of 1987. The Division Bench has not specifically mentioned it as such, but it appears from the tenor of the judgment and to the reference of this order being in force from 1.9.2005, that since it is subsequent to the judgment in P.A. Inamdar's case (supra), decided on 12th August, 2005, the colleges should be allowed to have the examinations as per their procedure which is presumably started earlier. The Division Bench has however, taken a view that the students of the academic year 2006-07 also stand on the same footing as 2005-06 and have given benefit to them also of the view that they have taken. The view of the Court is reflected in the aforesaid paragraph, which is quoted herein below:

The colleges are duly affiliated with the University; they are having recognition of the NCTE with respect to the given seats and mostly 100 in all the cases. Therefore, it cannot be said that they were not eligible for admitting the students but as a matter of fact, having no option but to admit the students themselves and that too after making the Universities aware that they were not competent to conduct any such examination or to direct admission of students in the colleges, they proceeded to issue advertisement inviting applications from the eligible and willing students and made the selection on the criteria of merit, based on the merit of the qualifying examination followed by interview. This was one mode suggested by the apex court in the case of Islamic Academy and, therefore, it cannot be said that admission of students made by the colleges were per se illegal or the students who were admitted, were illegally admitted.

22. Faced with these two judgments taking two different views, the two learned Single Judges (Ambwani, J and Rajes Kumar, J.) have made a reference for the determination of the correct proposition of law This situation could have been avoided had the decision of the learned Single Judge (Rajiv Shamia, J.) been placed before the Division Bench. Rajes Kumar, J. has, therefore, raised a question as to whether the decision of the Division Bench in Special Appeal No,263 of 2007 (Dr. Ambedkar University Agra's case) lays down the correct law, whereas Sunil Ambwani, J. has raised a question as to whether the judgment rendered by the learned Single Judge (Rajiv Sharma, J.) in Writ Petition No. 5674 of 2006 (Management Association's case) correctly appreciated TMA Pai, Islamic Academy and P.A. Inamdar judgments (supra) and has laid down the correct law.

23. On merits of the issues referred.

When we look to the six issues that are referred for our determination, we find that they are interrelated and hence we will deal with all of them together Having seen the two judgments, it must be noted that the above referred three judgments in the cases of TMA Pai, Islamic Academy and P.A. Inamdar (supra) were in the context of medical and engineering admissions though undoubtedly, there are guidelines in these judgments for admissions to the professional courses and they have got to be respected. It is however, material to note that there is no specific reference to degrees of courses in education or to the B.Ed. admissions or to the NCTE Act in any manner. This being the position, there was no question of there being any reference to any State Act governing the field of education including the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973. We will, therefore, have to refer first to the NCTE Act and to the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973.

24. As far as the NCTE Act is concerned, it is a Central Act referable to Entry-66 of the Union List from VIIth Schedule to the Constitution of India, which Entry is concerned with coordination and determination of standards in institutions of higher education or research, scientific and technical institutions. Section 12 of the Act gives the functions of NCTE and amongst others. Clause (e) thereof lays down that it shall be the duty of the Council to lay down norms for any specified category of courses or trainings in teacher education including the minimum eligibility criteria for admission thereof, and the method of selection of candidates, duration of the course, course contents and mode of curriculum. Section 14 of the Act provides for recognition of institutions offering course of training in teacher education and under Sub-section (3)(a) thereof, if it is satisfied that the institution fulfills the necessary requirements, it may pass an order granting recognition to such institution. Under Sub-section (4) of this section, the order is to be communicated amongst others to the examining body (i.e. University) and to the State Government.

25. The petitioners contend that in the matter of Teacher's education, NCTE Act prevails and any order of the State Government in conflict therewith will be bad in law. They rely on the dicta of the Apex Court in State of Maharasthra v. Sant Dnyaneshwar Shikshan Sansthan . In that case, the NCTE had granted permission to the respondents to start their B.Ed. course, but the State of Maharashtra had issued the guidelines not to give any NOC to new institutions, which were struck down as violative of NCTE Act. The respondents, on the other hand, contend that the issue of present kind was not involved in that matter, and that apart according to them there is no conflict between the University examination in the two years and the NCTE Regulations.

26. (i) As a part of this responsibility, to lay down the minimum eligibility criteria, the NCTE has laid down norms and standards for secondary teacher education, which have been referred earlier. Clause 3 (a) of these norms of eligibility requires a candidate to have 45% marks (now revised to 50%) in the Bachelor's or Master's degree. It is Clause (b), which is relevant for our purpose. It was submitted on behalf of the petitioners that this clause permits admission on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination by itself and the institution is not bound to admit students as directed by any entrance test held by the University or by the State Government. They are laying the emphasis on the observations of the Apex Court in paras 59 and 68 of TMA Pai's judgment. We will refer to this judgment a little later on. According to the petitioners first part of Clause 3 (b) viz. 'admission should be made, either on the basis of the marks obtained in the qualifying examination' should be read separately from the latter part beginning with 'or in the entrance examination....'

(ii) According to the respondents however, Clause 3 (b), when read in its entirety provides for two modes of admissions, viz. marks in the qualifying examination or the entrance test conducted by the State/University. It is submitted that the admissions are to be made by either of the two modes, as may be the policy of the State Government or the University, to which the Institution is affiliated. It is emphasized that in the recognition order issued to each of these colleges, the NCTE has made it clear in Clause-5 thereof that the recognition is subject to the requirements as may be prescribed by other regulatory bodies, such as University Grants Commission or the State Government, etc. One such order dated 10.11,2003 is annexed to the Tuples Society Petition. It does give a place to the University as well as to the State Government in Clauses 4 and 5 thereof, which are as follows:

4. The Recognition is subject to the condition that the affiliating University shall ensure that, among other filings, the institution has appointed required number of faculty members (including Principal/Head of Department), as per the norms of the NCTE/UGC/Affiliating University.

5. Further, the recognition is subject to the fulfillment of all such other requirements as may be prescribed by other regulatory bodies like UGC and State Government, etc.

27. Copies of the recognition order are also forwarded to the Registrar of the University and to the Education Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh. (iii) In our view, Clauses (a) and (b) will have to be read together. Clause (a) lays down the minimum eligibility criterion without attaining, which a candidate cannot participate in the selection process. This is clear from the words 'at least 45% (or 50%)' used in Clause (a). Thereafter comes the stage of admission, where obviously a candidate with better marks is to be preferred. For that assessment, either the marks from the qualifying examination will be considered or those in the entrance test conducted by the State/University. This will however, depend on the policy of the State Government/University to which the institution is affiliated. There is a comma placed after mentioning the two modes and thereafter it is stated mat either of the modes is to be followed as per the policy of State/University. This part with respect to policy will therefore apply to both the modes and the first mode cannot be read independently and outside the policy of the State/University. Which of the modes is to be preferred will depend on the policy of the State/University and this is their prerogative as per this very rule. That apart, if the interpretation of Clause 3 (b) by the petitioners is to be accepted, it will render the second part containing the policy of the State Government or the Universities otiose. If the colleges are to be permitted to have their own admissions in spite of a separate University examination, the University's examination will become meaningless. The admissions on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination will be a criterion, only when there is no such entrance examination either by the University or by the State Government or by an association of the Colleges, as is now claimed under TMA Pai (para 68), Islamic Academy (para 16) and PA Inamdar (para 136).

28. The examination held by the Universities during the two years is referable to the policy of the State, as required by Regulation Ng.3 of NCTE on eligibility. This policy is contained and regulated under Section 28 of the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973. Section 28 of the said Act is reproduced below:

28. Admissions Committee.-(1) There shall be an Admissions Committee of the University, the constitution of which shall be such as may be provided for in the Ordinances.

(2) The Admissions Committee shall have the power to appoint such number of sub-committees as it thinks fit.

(3) Subject to the superintendence of the Academic Council and to the provisions of Sub-section (5), the Admissions Committee shall lay down the principles or norms governing the policy of admission not various courses of studies in the University and may also nominate a person or a sub-committee as the admitting authority in respect of any course of study in an Institute or a constituent college maintained by the University.

(4) Subject to the provisions of Sub-section (5) the Committee may issue any direction as respects criteria or methods of admissions [(including the number of students to be admitted)] to constituent colleges maintained by the State Government and affiliated or associated colleges, and such directions shall be binding on such colleges.

(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act:

(a) reservation of seats for admission in any course of study in University, Institute, constituent college, affiliated college or associated college for the students belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes of citizens may be made and regulated by such orders as the State Government may, by notification, make in that behalf:

Provided that reservation under this clause shall not exceed fifty per cent of the total number of seats in any course of study.

Provided further mat reservation under this clause shall not apply in the case of an institution established and administered by minorities referred to in Clause (1) of Article 30 of the Constitution.

Provided also that the reservation under this clause shall not apply to the category of Other Backward Classes of citizens specified in Schedule-II to the Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) Act, 1994.

(b) admission to medical and engineering colleges and to courses of instruction for degrees in education and Ayurvedic or Unani systems of medicine (including the number of students to be admitted), shall subject to Clause (a), be regulated by such orders (which if necessary may be with retrospective effect, but not effective prior to January 1, 1979) as the State Government may by notification., make in that behalf:

Provided that no order regulating admission under this clause shall be inconsistent with the rights of minorities in the matter of establishing and administering educational institutions of their choice;

(c) in making an order under Clause (a), the State Government may direct that any person who willfully acts in a manner intended to contravene, or defeat the purposes of the order shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or with fine not exceeding one thousand rupees, or with both, as may be specified in the order.

(5-A) Every order made under Clause (a) of Sub-section (5) shall be laid, as soon as may be, before both Houses of the State Legislature and the provisions of Sub-section (1) of Section 23-A of the Uttar Pradesh General Clauses Act, 1904 shall apply as they apply in respect of rules made by the State Government under any Uttar Pradesh Act.

(6) No student admitted to any college in contravention of the provisions of this section shall be permitted to take up any examination conducted by the University, and the Vice-Chancellor shall have the power to cancel any admission made in such contravention.

29. (i) Sub-section (4) of this Section lays down that the Admissions Committee of the University may issue directions in respect of criteria or method of admissions to constituent colleges maintained by the State Government and also affiliated and associated colleges and the directions of the University are binding on such colleges. Over and above this provision, Sub-section (5)(b) provides that notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act, the admission to medical and engineering colleges and to courses of instruction for degrees in education, amongst others, shall be regulated by such orders as the State Government, may by notification, make in that behalf. The State Government came out with the U.P. State Universities (Regulation of Admission to Courses of Instruction for Degree in Education in Affiliated, Associated and Constituent Colleges) Order, 1987 on 5.5 1987 (hereinafter referred to as 'Regulation of Admission to Degrees in Education Order, 1987') This was specifically in exercise of power under the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973 as amended from time to time.

(ii) Clause 7 of Regulation of Admission to Degrees in Education Order. 1987, provides as follows:

7. Every University shall organize its own combined admission examination for admission to B.Ed. courses in its affiliated, associated and constituent colleges. The admission examination of all the Universities shall be organized on one and the same date as may be fixed by the State Government.

This provision was holding the field right from 1987 and the examinations were being held thereunder at the University level.

(iii) This Regulation of Admission to Degrees in Education Order, 1987 was subsequently amended from time to time. The 4th Amendment order was issued on 27.5.2005. It permitted the associations of Self-Financing Institution to hold their examinations,, but it was to be held on a day other than the date of examination conducted by the University. Clause-7 was amended by this order and it reads as follows:

7. Every University shall organize its own combined admission examination for admission to B.Ed. courses in its affiliated, associated and constituent colleges. The admission examination of all the Universities shall be organized on one and the same date as may be fixed by the State Government.

7. (a) In case the entrance examination for admission to B.Ed. Courses is conducted by the Association of self-financing institutions, the date of this examination shall be other than the date of examination conducted by the University.

(iv) The 5th Amendment to this Regulation of Admission to Degrees in Education Order, 1987 was made on 1.9.2005, to provide that the examination by the association will be a State level examination and lastly by an order effected on 1.2.2007, which is the 7th Amendment Order, Clause-7 has been amended to provide for a Joint Entrance Examination by one University at the State level and this clause reads as follows:

7. Joint Entrance Examination will be conducted by a State University authorized by the State Government for admission to B.Ed. courses in each academic session. The date of examination will be determined by the State Government.

7(a). In case the entrance examination for admission to B.Ed. Course is conducted by the State level Association of self-financing institutions, the date of this examination shall be other than the date of examination conducted by the State University.

30. Thus it is clear that under this order, from the academic year 2007-08, a State level examination is provided, as a single window system with an option to she association to have their examinations at the State level provided of course the association represents all such institutions. The 5th Amendment issued prior thereto on 1.9.2005, provided for a State level examination by the association of colleges and this order is referred by the Division Bench in its judgment, it appears that the Division Bench was impressed by the fact that this order is subsequent to the judgment of P.A. Inamdar (supra), which was rendered on 12th August, 2005 and, therefore, the Division Bench has taken a view that where the admission process started earlier, i.e., in 2005-06, it will not be governed by this 5th Amendment Order. If this was the view to be taken by the Court, surely 2006-07 examination ought to have been treated separately, but the Division Bench appeals to be also impressed by the fact that the State Government was not holding a common examination for all the Universities for either of the two years 200.5 06 and 2006-07 and, therefore, when that was not being held, the unaided institutions could not be prevented from holding their own examinations.

31. The Division Bench has however, not noted the fact that right from 1987, there has been a University level examination, which is held under the Regulation of Admission to Degrees in Education Order, 1987, that is referable to the U.P. State Universities Act, 1973. It is also referable to Regulation 3 (b) of the NCTE Regulations, which we have seen earlier. There is no conflict between the NCTE Regulations and the examination under above order issued and amended from time to time.

32. It is however, material to note that on behalf of the petitioners, it has also been submitted that the State Universities Act, 1973 is repugnant to the regulations under the NCTE Act. The State Act has been amended by introducing Section 28 (5) and the amendment has come into force on 15.7.1994. The NCTE Act received the assent of President of India on 29.7 1993 (though it has been brought into force on 1.7.1995). As against that, it is submitted on behalf of the respondents that the State Universities Act is a fully competent legislation.

33. Paragraph 35 of a Constitution Bench decision of the Apex Court in Dr. Preeti Srivastava and Anr. v. State of M.P. and Ors. reported at ., is very instructive for our purpose, as to what should be the approach in this behalf. The paragraph is reproduced below:

35. The legislative competence of Parliament and the legislatures of the Stales to make laws under Article 246 is regulated by the VIIth Schedule to the Constitution. In the VIIth Schedule as originally in force, Entry II of List II gave to the State an exclusive power to legislate on education including universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63 64, 65 and 66 of List 1 and Entry 25 of List III Entry 11 of List II was deleted and Entry 25 of List III was amended with effect from 3-1-1976 as a result of the Constitution 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. The present Entry 25 in the Concurrent List is as follows:

25. Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I; vocational and technical training of labour.

Entry 25 is subject, inter alia, to Entry 66 of List I. Entry 66 of List I is as follows:

66. Coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.

Both the Union as well as the States have the power to legislate on education including medical education, subject, inter alia, to Entry 66 of List I which deals with laying down standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions as also coordination of such standards. A State has, therefore, the right to control education including Medical education so long as the field is not occupied by any Union legislation. Secondly, the State cannot, while controlling education in the State, impinge on standards in institutions for higher education. Because this is exclusively within the purview of the Union Government. Therefore, while prescribing the criteria for admission to she institutions for higher education including higher medical education, the State cannot adversely affect the standards laid down by the Union of India under Entry 66 of List I Secondly, while considering the cases on the subject it is also necessary to remember that from 1977, education, including, inter alia, medical and university education, is now in the Concurrent List so that the Union can legislate on admission criteria also. If it does so, the Stale will not be able to legislate in this field, except as provided in Article 254.

34. There is one more judgment to which we must fruitfully advert to, i.e., in the case of State of Tamilnadu and Anr. v. S.V. Bratheep (Minor) and Ors. reported at . That was a case where the State Government had issued two orders prescribing certain percentage of marks and entrance test for admissions to engineering colleges. A writ petition was filed in the Madras High Court, praying that the admissions be considered without reference to the minimum eligible marks prescribed under those orders. Two Regulations framed by the All India Council of Technical Education (in short 'AICTE') were under consideration. Regulation 1.1 provided qualifications for admission of general category students and Regulation 1.3 prescribed the Entrance Test. The Apex Court referred to paras 35 and 36 of the judgment rendered in the case of Dr. Preeti Srivastava (supra) and held that:

Entry 25 of List III and Entry 66 of List I of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India have to be read together and it cannot be read in such a manner as to form an exclusivity in the matter of admission.

If higher minimum marks are prescribed by the State Government than what had been prescribed by the AICTE, it cannot be held to be adverse to the requirements prescribed by the AICTE. The Entrance Test conducted by the State Government was held to be valid and at the end of para 12, the Apex Court observed as follows:

12. ...Prescription of standards in education is always accepted to be an appropriate exercise of power by the bodies recognizing the colleges or granting affiliation, like AICTE or University. If in exercise of such power the prescription had been made, it cannot be said that the whole matter has been foreclosed.

It is material to note that the judgments of the Apex Court in Islamic Academy and TMA Pai (supra) are referred in the judgment of the Apex Court. The Apex Court has noted that they are the judgments in relation to fee structure of minority and non-minority educational institutions and their methods of admission. Although those were the earlier cases where engineering admissions were very much there before the Apex Court, yet the Court held in S.V. Bratheep (supra) that the question that had come up for consideration in the matter before it was a different one.

35. It is also material to note that in the writ petition filed by the Association, neither the validity of Section 28 (5) was challenged nor the validity of Government Older issued in 1987 or thereafter was challenged. What were challenged were the intra-departmental communications, which were Government Order dated 14,9.2005, whereby the Government had directed to make admissions only from the merit list of the Entrance Examination and another order dated 31.10.2005, which fixed the quota of the management at 15% for the unaided non-minority institutions and 50% for the unaided minority institutions. The respondents submitted with good force that in the absence of challenge either to the Act or to the orders, these communications could not be challenged. They were in the nature of communications addressed by the authorities of the State Government to the concerned Colleges,

36. Having noted this background, we now examine the effect of the three judgments of the Supreme Court and the propositions therein on the B.Ed. admissions.

37. The first of these three judgments is TMA Pai Foundation v. State of karnataka reported at . The questions raised in this matter were concerning fee structure of minority and non-minority educational institutions and whether private unaided professional colleges are entitled to fill up their seats to the full extent by their own method of admission. The Bench consisted of eleven Judges of the Apex Court. It answered eleven questions The majority judgment was rendered by Hon'ble Kripal, C.J.I. along with five other Hon'ble Judges. Para 16 of this judgment states five main issues arose in that case and they would encompass all the questions framed that are required to be answered. The discussion on issue No. 3 is relevant for our purpose. The issue is as follows:

3. In case of private institutions, can there be government regulations and. if so, to what extent?

As stated earlier, there were two facets of the matter, one was regarding fee structure and the second was regarding procedure of admissions. In the present matter, we are concerned with the procedure of admissions only. Paras 59 and 68 of the judgment have been pressed into service by the petitioners. Paras 58 and 66 are also relevant. These paras read as follows:

58. For admission into any professional institution, merit must play an important role. While it may not be normally possible to judge the merit of the applicant who seeks admission into a school, while seeking admission to a professional institution and to become a competent professional, it is necessary that meritorious candidates are not unfairly treated or put at a disadvantage by preferences shown to less meritorious but. more influential applicants. Excellence in professional education would require that greater emphasis be laid on the merit of a student seeking admission. Appropriate regulations for this purpose may be made keeping in view the other observations made in this judgment in the context of admissions to unaided institutions.

59. Merit is usually determined, for admission to professional and higher education colleges, by either the marks that the student obtains at the qualifying examination or school-leaving certificate stage followed by the interview, or by a common entrance test conducted by the institution, or in the case of professional colleges, by government agencies.

66. In the case of private unaided educational institutions, the authority granting recognition or affiliation can certainly lay down conditions for the grant of recognition or affiliation; these conditions must pertain broadly to academic and educational matters and welfare of students and teachers-but how the private unaided institutions are to run is a matter of administration to be taken care of by the management of those institutions.

67. We now come to the regulations that can be framed relating to private unaided professional institutions.

68. It would be unfair to apply the same rules and regulations regulating admission to both aided and unaided professional institutions. It must be borne in mind that unaided professional institutions are entitled to autonomy in their administration while, at the same time, they do not forego or discord the principle of merit. It would, therefore, be permissible for the university or the Government, at the time of granting recognition, to require a private unaided institution to provide for merit-based selection while,, at the same time, giving the management sufficient discretion in admitting students. This can be done through various methods. For instance, a certain percentage of the seats can be reserved for admission by the management out of those students who have passed the common entrance test held by itself or by the State/University and have applied to the college concerned for admission, while the rest of the seats may be filled up on the basis of counselling by the State agency. This will incidentally take care of poorer and backward sections of the society. The prescription of percentage for this purpose has to be done by the Government according to the local needs and different percentages can be fixed for minority unaided and non-minority unaided and professional colleges. The same principle may be applied to other non-professional but unaided educational institutions viz. graduation and post graduation non-professional colleges or institutes.

38. It is also material to note that question No. 5 is a common question, which was framed by the Bench. This question was split into three parts. The first two parts are relevant for our purpose. Question No. 5 (a) and (b) with their answers read as follows:

Q. 5. (a) Whether the minorities' rights to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice will include the procedure and method of admission and selection of students?

A. A minority institution may have its own procedure and method of admission as well as selection students, but such a procedure must be fair and transparent, and the selection of students in professional and higher education colleges should be on the basis of merit. The procedure adopted or selection made should not be tantamount to maladministration. Even an unaided minority institution ought not to ignore the merit of the students for admission, while exercising its right to admit students to the colleges aforesaid, as in that event, the institution will fail to achieve excellence.

Q. 5. (b) Whether the minority institution's right of admission of students and to lay down procedure and method of admission, if any, would be affected any way by the receipt of State aid?

A. While giving aid to professional institutions, it would be permissible for the authority giving aid to prescribed bye-rules or regulations, the conditions on the basis of which admission will be granted to different aided colleges by virtue of merit, coupled with the reservation policy of the State quo non-minority students. The merit may be determined either through a common entrance test conducted by the University or the Government concerned followed by counselling, or on the basis of an entrance test conducted by individual institutions-the method to be followed is for the university or the Government to decide. The authority may also advise other means to ensure that admission is granted to an aided professional institution on the basis of merit. In the case of such institution, it will be permissible for the Government or the University to provide that consideration should be shown to the weaker section of the society.

39. It so happened as stated by the Apex Court in its subsequent judgment that the judgment in Pal Foundation was understood by Union of India, various State Governments and educational institutions in different perspectives (as stated in para of the subsequent judgment in Islamic Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka reported at ) The judgment of the Constitution Bench was rendered by Hon'ble Khare, C.J.I. on behalf of the majority of the Judges, while Justice Sinha wrote a separate judgment. As stated in para 2 of that judgment, it had become necessary to clarify judgment in Pai Foundation. The Court framed four questions for its consideration. These four questions are as follows:

(1) Whether the educational institutions are entitled to fix their own fee structure;

(2) Whether minority and non-minority educational institutions stand on the same footing and have the same rights.

(3) Whether private unaided professional colleges are entitled to fill in their seats, to the extent of 100%, and if not, to what extent; and (4) Whether private unaided professional colleges are entitle to admit students by involving their own method of admission.

40. As stated in para 10 of this judgment, questions No. 3 and 4 pertain to the private unaided professional colleges. The Court noted that it was paragraph 68, which had been strongly relied upon, It also noted that pat as 58 and 59 of Pai Foundation were also relied upon. The Court split this para 68 into seven parts.

41. While commenting on the above referred para 68, the Court observed in para 16 as follows:

16. ...Paragraph 68 provides that admission by the management ears be by a common entrance test held by "itself or by the State/University". The words "common entrance test" clearly indicate that each institute cannot hold a separate test. We thus hold that the management could select students, of their quota, either or the basis of the common entrance test conducted by the State or on the basis of a common entrance test to be conducted by an association of all. colleges of a particular type in the Stale e.g. medical, engineering or technical etc. The common entrance test, held by the association, must be for admission to all colleges of that type in the State, The option of choosing between either of these tests, must be exercise before issuing of prospectus and after intimation, to the concerned authority and the committee set up hereinafter, if any professional college chooses not to admit from the common entrance test conducted by the association then that college must necessarily admit from the common entrance test conducted by the State. After holding the common entrance test and declaration of results the merit list will immediately be placed on the notice-board of all colleges which have chosen to admit as per this test. A copy of the merit list will also be forthwith sent to the concerned authority and the committee. Selection of students must then be strictly on the basis of the merit as per that merit list. Of course, as indicated earlier, minority colleges will be entitled to fill up their quota with their own students on the basis of inter se merit amongst those students. The list of students admitted, along with the rank number obtained by the students, the fees collected and all such particulars and details as may be required by the concerned authority or the committee must be submitted to them forthwith. The question paper and the answer papers must be preserved for such period as the concerned authority or Committee may indicate. If it is found that any student has been admitted de hors merit, penalty can he imposed on that institute and in appropriate cases recognition/affiliation may also be withdrawn.

42. The Court constituted a Commitee for the admission procedure in para 19. This was apart from the fee Structure Committee, which was constituted as laid down earlier in para 7 of the judgment. The Committee on admission procedure was to supervise the admissions of the common entrance test, if opted for by the private unaided institutions all coming together. The Committee was to ensure fair and transparent procedure of admission

43. This judgment led to another judgment in P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharasthra reported at (2005) 6 SCC 537 This Bench consisted of seven Judges and the judgment on behalf of the Bench was rendered by Hon'ble Lahoti, C.J.I. This judgment became necessary, as stated in para 4 of Inamdar's judgment, since some of the main questions remained unsettled even after the judgment of the Constitution Bench in Islamic Academy (supra). this Bench framed four questions. Those four questions are as follows:

(1) To what extent can the Stale regulate admissions made by unaided (minority or non-minority) educational institutions? Can the Slate enforce Us policy of reservation and/or appropriate to itself any quota in admissions to such institutions?

(2) Whether unaided (minority and non-minority) educational institutions are free to advise their own admission procedure or whether the direction made in Islaimic Academy (supra) for compulsorily holding an entrance rest by the State or association of institutions and to choose therefrom the students entitled to admission in such institutions, can be sustained in light of the law laid down in Pai Foundation (supra)?

(3) Whether Islamic Academy (supra) could have issued guidelines in the matter of regulating the fee payable by the student to the educational institutions?

(4) Can she admission procedure and fee structure be regulated or taken over by the Committees ordered to be constituted by Islamic Academy (supra)?

44. Thereafter the Court referred to the observations in para 68 of Pai Foundation. In para 110 of its judgment, the Court noted that the majority judgment in Islamic Academy (supra) has paraphrased para 68 into seven parts. Hon'ble Sinha, J. has paraphrased if in five pacts, but according to judgment in Inamdar, it could be only in two pans. It held that the second part of this paragraph was only by way of illustration and cannot be read as law laid down by the Bench. It then observed that it is only an observation in passing or an illustrative situation, which may be reached by consent or agreement or persuasion.

45. In para 126, the Court, observed as follows:

126. ...in our considered opinion, observations in para 68 merely permit unaided private institutions to maintain merit as the criterion of admission by voluntarily agreeing for seat-sharing with the State or adopting selection based on common entrance test of the State. There are also observations saying that they may frame their own policy to give freeships and scholarships to the needy and poor students or adopt a policy in line with the reservation policy of the Stale to cater to the educational needs of the weaker and poorer sections of the society.

46. In paras 133 to 138 of the judgment, the Court dealt with the admission procedure of unaided education institutions and what is observed in para 134 is relevant for our purpose. Para 134 is quoted reproduced below:

134. However, different considerations would apply for graduate and post graduate level of education, as also for technical and professional education institutions. Such education cannot be imparted by any institution unless recognized by or affiliated with any competent authority created by law, such as a university, Board, Central or State Government or the like. Excellence in education and maintenance of high standards at this level are a must. To fulfill these objectives, the State can and rather must, in national interest, step in. The education, knowledge and learning at this level possess by individual collectively constitutes national wealth.

47. In paras 136 to 138, what the Court observed is very relevant, which are quoted as follows:

136. Whether minority or non-minority institutions, there may be more than one similarly situated institutions imparting education in any one discipline, in any State. The same aspirant seeking admission to take education in any one discipline of education shall have to purchase admission forms from several institutions and appear at several admission tests conducted at different placed on the same or different dates and there may be a clash of date. If the same candidate is required to appear in several tests, he would be subjected to unnecessary and avoidably expenditure and inconvenience. There is nothing wrong in an entrance test being held for one group of institutions imparting same or similar education. Such institutions situated in one State or in more than one State may join together and hold a common entrance test or the State may itself or through an agency arrange for holding of such test. Out of such common merit list the successful candidates can be identified and chosen for being allotted to different institutions depending on the courses of study offered, the number of seats, the kind of minority to which the institution belongs and other relevant factors. Such an agency conducting the common entrance test ("CET" for short) must be one enjoying utmost credibility and expertise in the matter. This would better ensure the fulfillment of twin objects of transparency and merit. CET is necessary in the interest of achieving the said objectives and also for saving the students community from harassment and exploitation. Holding of such common entrance test followed by centralize counselling or, in other words, single-window system regulating admissions does not cause any dent in the right of minority unaided educational institutions to admit students of their choice. Such choice can be exercised from out of the list of successful candidates prepared at CET without altering the order of merit inter se of the students so chosen.

137. Pai Foundation has held that minority unaided institutions can legitimately claim unfettered fundamental right to choose the students to be allowed admission and the procedure therefor subject to its being fair, transparent and non-exploitative. The same principle applies to non-minority unaided institutions. There may be a single institution imparting a particular type of education which is not being imported by any other institution and having its own admission procedure fulfilling the test of being fair, transparent and non-exploitative. All institutions imparting same or similar professional education can join together for holding a common entrance test satisfying the above said triple tests. The State can also provide a procedure of holding a common entrance test in the interest of securing fair and merit -based admissions and preventing maladministration. The admission procedure so adopted by a private institution or group of institutions, if it fails to satisfy all or any of the tripe tests, indicated hereinabove, can be taken over by the State substituting its own procedure. The second question is answered accordingly.

138. It needs to be specifically stated that having regard to the larger interest and welfare of the students community to promote merit, achieve excellence and curb malpractices, it would be permissible to regulate admissions by providing a centralized and single-window procedure. Such a procedure, to a large extent, can secure giant of merit-based admissions on a transparent basis. Till regulations are framed, the Admission Committees can oversee admissions so as to ensure that merit is not the casualty.

48. In para 154 of the judgment, the Court noted that the admission process in various courses had started and, therefore, it laid down that the judgment will be given effect to from the academic year commencing next after the pronouncement of this judgment. This judgment was pronounced on 12th August 2005. Para 155 is again a significant paragraph for our purpose, which is reproduced below:

155. It is for the Central Government, or for the State Governments, in the absence of a Central legislation, to come out with a detailed well-thought-out legislation on the subject. Such a legislation is long awaited. The States must act towards this direction. The judicial wing of the State is called upon to act when the other two wings, the legislature and the executive, do not act. The earlier the Union of India and the State Governments act, the better it would be. The Committees regulating admission procedure and fee structure shall continue to exist, but only as a temporary measure and an inevitable passing phase until the Central Government or the State Governments are able to device a suitable mechanism and appoint a competent authority in consonance with the observations made hereinabove. Needless to say, any decision taken by such Committees and by the Central or the State Governments shall be open to judicial review in accordance with the settled parameters for the exercise of such jurisdiction.

49. A reference to all these three judgments makes certain things very clear. Firstly, the main judgment in Pai Foundation (supra) rendered by eleven Judges emphasized merit for admission, at the same time fairness and transparency. For determining merit, it is stated in para 59 that it is usually determined in the qualifying examination or school-leaving certificate followed by an interview or by a common entrance test. In para 68, it did not rule out the University or the Government to require, at the time of granting recognition to private unaided institutions, to provide for merit-based selection while, at the, same time, giving the management sufficient discretion in admitting students. What is most important is that this is stated in the first part of para 68.

50. Therefore, even if this paragraph is split into two parts, as read in Inamdar's case, the first part itself permits a University to require a private unaided institution to give admissions on the basis of merit-based selection. It is stated that at the same time sufficient discretion be given to the management. In the present case, the Government Order permits the management of private unaided institutions to have 15% of the candidates of their own and non-minority institutions to have 50% candidates of their own. Thus sufficient discretion in the present case is already available. But the, selection procedure is however done by the University. Besides, we cannot merely read paras 59 and 68. We must also read the answer of question No. 5 (b) to the question referred above in Pai Foundation (supra). The answer clearly permits such an admission test at the admission or at the entrance level. If it is so provided and University so insists thereon, it cannot be said to be bad in law. A Committee is constituted to oversee these admissions as per the judgment in Islamic Academy (supra). This is a temporary measure. Even para 155 of P.A. Inamdar (supra) permits the State Government to come out with appropriate legislation. The Committees regulating admission procedure and fee structure shall continue to exist under Inamdar's judgment (supra) until the regular arrangement is made.

51. In all these cases, the Apex Court was concerned with admissions to professional courses though with emphasise on engineering and medical admissions. The provisions of various State Acts and concerning those with degrees in B.Ed. and other educational courses were not before the Apex Court. The last judgment on this issue has permitted the State Government to come out with detailed well-thoughtout legislation. The Government Orders prescribing the procedure for admission and allowing the Universities to hold examinations at the University level held the field during the two relevant years. As pointed out earlier, this arrangement is not in conflict with the regulations framed by NCTE either. In the circumstances, the procedure laid down in these three judgments cannot, in any manner, lead the Court to hold the examinations held by the Universities to be bad in law. As read by us, once any such procedure for admission is prescribed, the private admissions on the basis of last qualifying marks cannot be permitted under the NCTE Regulation 3 (b) as well. That apart, Justice Tilhari Committee itself has given finding that the conduct of the Association of the private institutions was not fail", transparent and non-exploitiveness.

52. In the circumstances, we answer these issues as follows:

1. Whether the admissions to private unaided (minority and non-minority) colleges imparting education for Bachelor of Education Courses recognized by NCTE and affiliated to the University can be made by any method other than by holding a common entrance test either by the State/Universities or by all the colleges of the State coming together as provided in P.A. Inamdar's case?

Ans. No

2. Whether the judgment rendered by learned Single Judge on 14.12.2006 in Writ Petition No. 5674 (M/S) of 2006: U.P. Management Association of Self Finance Teachers Training Colleges v. State of U.P. and Ors. has correctly appreciated the TMA Pai, Islamic Academy and P.A. Inamdar's case and has laid down correct law?

Ans. Yes

3. Whether in the absence of any common entrance test held by all the colleges coming together or a common entrance test conducted by the State Government or all the Universities in the State the admissions can be made through the entrance examination held by individual universities providing list of students through counselling to these colleges?

Ans. Yes

4. Whether the entire process of admissions to these colleges must be left to the supervision of the Justice H.N. Tilhari (Retd.) Committee constituted by the State Government in terms of the decisions issued in P.A. Inamdar's case?

Ans. Yes

5. Whether for the session 2005-06 the students admitted to the management of the private unaided colleges imparting education for B.Ed. recognized by NCTE and affiliated to Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur on the basis of their procedure of admission can be said to be properly and legally admitted students and entitled for the study examination and the declaration of the result.

Ans. No

6. Whether the decision of the Division Bench of Lucknow in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007: Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra v. S.S. College, Barbarpur, Sikandara, Agra and Anr. lays down the correct law and covers the issues involved in the present writ petition.

Ans. No

53. In view of the answers to these six issues, these two writ petitions, which are placed before us will be sent down to the concerned learned Single Judges for decision in the light of this judgment. The other writ petitions, which were connected with these two writ petitions, or whose papers were produced will be de-linked and placed before the concerned learned Single Judges for decision in accordance with the law laid down in this judgment.

There shall be no order as to costs.

Devi Prasad Singh, J.

1. I have got the privilege to read the judgment prepared by my Lord Hon'ble the Chief Justice.

With respect while concurring with the findings recorded by Hon'ble the Chief Justice, 1 wish to deal with the controversy with my own separate reasoning.

The controversy basically relates to interpretation of three Hon'ble Supreme Court judgments TMA Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka ; Islamiq Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka and (2005) 6 SCC 537: P. A. Inamdar and Ors. v. State of Maharashtra and Ors. in context to admission for B. Ed. Courses in non-aided private colleges situated in the State of U.P.

2. Hon'ble the Single Judge of this Court (Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sunil Ambwani), vide order dated 8.8.2007 in Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 34114 of 2007: Tuples Educational Society and Anr. v. State of U.P. and Anr. was pleased to frame the following questions by referring the controversy to Larger Bench:

(1) Whether the admissions to private unaided (minority and non-minority) colleges imparting education for Bachelor of Education Courses recognised by NCTE and affiliated to the University can be made by any method other than by holding a common entrance test either by the State/Universities, or by all the colleges of the State coming together as provided in P.A. Inamdar's case?

(2) Whether the judgment rendered by learned Single Judge on 14.12.2006 in Writ Petition No. 5674 (M/S) of 2006, U.P. Management Association of Self-Finance Teachers Training Colleges v. State of U.P. and Ors. has correctly appreciated the TMA Pai, Islamiq Academy and P.A. Inamdar's case and has laid down correct law?

(3) Whether in the absence of any common entrance test held by all the colleges coming together or a common entrance test conducted by the State Government or all the Universities in the State the admissions can be made through the entrance examinations held by individual universities providing list of students through counselling to these colleges?

(4) Whether the entire process of admissions to these colleges must be left to the supervision of the Justice H. N. Tilhari (Retd.) Committee constituted by the State Government in terms of the directions issued in P.A. Inamdar's case?

The complexity of the situation may give rise to many other questions, which may be framed by the larger bench to be considered in the matter.

In pursuance of the order dated 8.8.2007, the petition was listed before a Division Bench of this Court consisting of Hon'ble H. L. Gokhale CJ. and Hon'ble Justice Anjani Kumar, J. The Division Bench after hearing the learned Counsel for the parties, formed an opinion that questions raised by the Hon'ble Single Judge, should be heard by a larger Bench. Accordingly, vide order dated 12.9.2007, the Division Bench had directed that matter be placed before the Hon'ble Chief Justice on administrative side to constitute a larger Bench. A copy of the order dated 12.9.2007 passed by the Division Bench is reproduced as under:

Hon'ble H.L. Gokhale, C.J.

Hon'ble Anjani Kumar, J.

Date September 12, 2007 P.C.

1. Heard Mr. Ravi Kant, learned Sr. Advocate appearing for the petitioners institutions. Mr. Devendra Arora appears for Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. Mr. Abhinav Upadhyay, learned Standing Counsel appears for the State Government.

2. Mr. Upadhyay wants to file a counter affidavit on behalf of the State.

3. The submission of the respondents is that this is a controversy which ought to be decided by a larger Bench.

4. In these circumstances, the papers of the matter be placed before the Chief Justice on the administrative side to constitute a larger Bench.

In pursuance of the order passed by the Division Bench (supra), Hon'ble the Chief Justice was pleased to constitute the present Full Bench by subsequent order.

4. In other Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 22568 of 2007: Gajendra Yadav and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. (Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajes Kumar) while adopting for reference of aforementioned four questions, had added two more questions for adjudication by Larger Bench which for convenience are reproduced as under:

In these circumstances, I feel it appropriate to connect the present writ petitions along with Writ Petition No. 34114 of 2007 and to refer the matter to Full Bench. I propose to frame the following issue based on the facts of the present writ petition:

(1) Whether for the session 2005-06 the students admitted in the management of the private unaided Colleges imparting education for B. Ed. recognised U/NCTE and affiliated to Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, Jaunpur or the basis of their procedure of admission can be said to be properly and legally admitted students and entitled for the study examination and the declaration of the result.

(2) Whether the decision of the Division Bench of Lucknow in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University Agra v. S.S. College, Babarpur, Sikandara, Agra and Anr. lays down the correct law and covers the issues involved in the present writ petition.

5. When the Registry has brought into the notice of Hon'ble the Chief Justice the subsequent reference order dated 26.11.2007 passed by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajes Kumar, Hon'ble the Chief Justice was pleased to direct to place the question formulated by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajes Kumar before the Full Bench constituted in pursuance of the earlier order (supra).

Brief Facts:

6. The Tuples Educational Society (in short the Society), had filed Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 34114 of 2007 challenging the Circular dated 13.6.2007 by which Chaudhary Charan Singh University Meerut (in short the Meerut University), had directed to submit the list of teachers and the staff of all the non-aided affiliated colleges and also directed that all admissions in B. Ed. Course in 2006-2007 session shall be done by counselling through Meerut University. Further prayer has been made to the effect that the members of the petitioner's society may be permitted to admit the students on the basis of combined entrance test (in short CET) conducted by the petitioner's society which claims to be representing the non-aided private education institutions imparting B. Ed. Training affiliated to various universities in the State of U.P.

7. The petitioner has relied upon the Apex Court judgment TMA Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka and the Division Bench judgment rendered by the Lucknow Bench of this Court dated 23.5.2007 in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 contained in Annexure-4 to the writ petition.

8. Sri Ravi Kant, learned senior counsel argued on behalf of the petitioners in the present writ petition. The other set of writ petitions have been filed by the students of various non-aided colleges imparting B. Ed. Training. Relying upon the interim orders and the judgment delivered at Lucknow, it has been stated that the respective colleges in which students have been admitted have acted within the jurisdiction in view of the P.A. Inamdar's case (supra). It has been stated that in view of the P.A. Inamdar's case (supra), since no CET was held keeping in view the principles of Single Window system, these private institutions were entitled to admit the students in order of merit on the basis of academic qualification upto graduate level on their own.

9. Sri M.D. Singh Shekhar learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri Indrasen Singh Tomer and Sri Shashi Nandan learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri Namit Srivastava have defended the cause of students on one or the other grounds. Their submission is that the non-aided colleges were entitled to admit the students for B. Ed. Course and it was the duty of the University concerned to permit the students to appear in the annual examination. It has been pleaded that all the colleges in which the students pursuing the courses or claim admission, have been duly recognised by the NOTE and affiliated to various universities of the State of U.P.

10. During the course of hearing at Lucknow, Sri Prashant Chandra learned Senior Counsel assisted by Sri Akhilesh Kalra and Sri Manish Kumar, Sri Rituraj Awasthi, Sri Anupam Mehrotra, had opposed the reference in light of the Division Bench judgment and the order passed by Hon'ble Single (Hon'ble Mr. Justice S. N. Shukla). Sri H.G.S. Parihar while appearing in three writ petitions, during the course of argument admitted that the controversy involved in his cases, does not relate with the reference.

11. Sri Prashant Chandra learned Senior Counsel as well as Sri Manish Kumar learned Counsel have challenged the validity of reference as well as the constitution of the present Full Bench. According to the learned Counsel, Hon'ble Single Judges were not competent to make reference by framing questions of law in the manner they have done. According to them, the Division Bench judgment of this Court at Lucknow has got binding force and under the doctrine of 'stare decisis', Hon'ble Single Judges were not justified to make reference for constitution of larger Bench. Another argument while assailing the validity of reference advanced by Sri Prashant Chandra is that the Division Bench was not correct while passing the order dated 12.9.2007 by referring the controversy to Hon'ble the Chief Justice on administrative side for the constitution of larger bench. The order dated 12.9.2007 passed by the Division Bench presided by Hon'ble the Chief Justice is unreasoned order hence bad in law.

12. Sri Prashant Chandra has also proceeded to advance argument that alternatively, at least Hon'ble the Chief Justice as well as Hon'ble Mr. Justice Anjani Kumar should not have been the members of the present Full Bench since their lordships had passed the order dated 12.9.2007 by referring the present controversy to Hon'ble the Chief Justice on administrative side for constitution of larger Bench. It was also submitted by Sri Prashant Chandra that the reference made by Hon'ble the Single Judge as well as the Division Bench (supra) is bad in law being per inqurium to the law laid down by the Apex Court and the Allahabad High Court Rules.

13. While challenging the validity of the reference and the constitution of Bench as well as on merit, raising the plea that the questions framed by Hon'ble the Single Judge does not call for adjudication by this Full Bench in view of the Division Bench order dated 23.5.2007 passed in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 and connected special appeals as well as the writ petitions and while defending the reference as well as constitution of Full Bench, the learned Counsels for the parties have referred the cases to support their arguments namely, : Jindal Vijaynagar Steel (SW Steel Ltd.) v. Jindal Praxair Oxygen Co. Ltd. : State of Maharashtra v. Sant Dnyaneshwar Shikshan Shastra Mahavidvalaya and Ors. : Kerala State Science & Technology Museum v. Rambal Co. and Ors. : Union of India v. Rambir Singh and Ors. : ICIC1 Bank and Anr. v. Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay and Ors. : Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community and Anr. v. State of Maharashtra and Anr. (Extracts): State of Punjab and Anr. v. Devans Modern Breweries Ltd. and Anr. (2004) 4 SCC 262: Govt. of A.P. and Ors. v. B. Satvanaravana Rao (dead) by LRS and Ors. (2004) 8 SCC 30: Arya Samaj Education Trust and Ors. v. Director of Education Delhi and Ors. : Rajasthan Public Service Commission and Anr. v. Harish Kumar Purohit and Ors. : ITC Bhadrachalam Paper Boards Ltd. v. State of A.P. and Ors. : National Highway Authority of India v. Ganga Enterprises and Anr. : Vishweshwaraiah Iron and Steel Ltd. v. Abdul Gani and Ors. : Union of India and Anr. v. Hansoli Devi and Ors. Pradip Chandra Parija and Ors. v. Pramod Chandra Patnaik and Ors.; (2002) 10 SCC 710: Dr. Chandra Prakash and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Anr. : S.H. Rangappa v. State of Karnataka and Ors. : P. Ram Chandra Rao. v. State of Karnataka : Arun Agarwal v. Nagrika Exports Pvt. Ltd. and Ors. : Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. v. Mumbai Shramik Sangh and Ors. : State Bank of India and Ors. v. Labour Enforcement Officer (Central) and Anr. : General Manager, Telecom v. A. Sriniwas Rao and Ors. 1987 (Supp) SCC 321: Shvamaraiu Hegde v. U. Venkatesha Bhat and Ors. : Fuzlunbi v. K. Khader Vali and Anr. : Sher Singh and Ors. v. State of Punjab Tribhovandas Purshottamdas Thakkar v. Ratilal Motilal Patel and Ors. Manupatra: : (Equivalent Citation) State of Jammu and Kashmir and Ors. v. Thakur Ganga Singh for self and on behalf of other shareholders of Jammu and Kashmir Mechanics and Transport Workers Co-operative Society Limited and Anr.; 2007 (25) LCD 886: Virendra Kumar v. Hon'ble Allahabad High Court of Judicature through its Registrar General. Allahabad and Ors. 1995 (13) LCD 252: Aligarh Muslim University v. 8th Addl. Distt. Judge Aligarh and Ors. (2005) 3 UPLBEC 2487: Ram Kumar and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. 2004 (23) LCD 232: Provincial Medical Services Association UP and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. Manupatra: : (Equivalent Citation): Suomoto Action taken by the Court v. ICICI Bank Ltd., through its Chairman and Ors. Manupatra Babu Premaraian v. Superintendent of Police. Kasaragode and Ors. Ram Jivan v. Smt. Phoola (dead) by L. Rs. and Ors. ( M.P. AIT Permit Owners Assn. and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. : Java Gokul Educational Trust and Ors. v. Commissioner & Sect. to Govt. Higher Education and Ors. (: State of T. N. and Ors. v. Adhivaamun Educational & Research Institute and Ors. , Dharaneadhra Chemical Works v. Dharangadhra Municipality and Ors. T. Barai v. Henry Ah hoe and Ors. N. Birendra Singh. v. L. Priva Kumar Singh and Ors. (1991) Supp. (2) SCC 421: H.C. Puttasmamy and Ors. v. Hon'ble Chief Institute of Karnataka High Court Banglore and Ors. Sundarjas Kanya Lal Bhatija and Ors. v. Collector Prof. Yashpal and Anr. v. State of Chhatisgarh (1995 (13) LCD 252: Aligarh Muslim University v. VIII Additional District Judge, Aligarh Arun Agarwal v. Nagrika Export (Pvt) Limited and Ors. ; National Highways Authority of India v. Ganga Enterprises and Anr. ; Union of India v. Ranbir Singh and Ors. Pradeep Chand Parija v. Pramod Chand Patnaik and Ors. Vishweshwaraiah Iron and Steel Limited v. Abdul Gani and Ors. (2004) (2008) SCC 30; Arya 'Samaj Education Trust and Ors. v. Director of Education. Delhi and Ors. 2005 (3) UPLBEC 2487: Ram Kumar and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. 2005 (23) LCD 232: Provincial Medical Sciences Association U.P. and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. 2007 (25) LCD 886: Virendra Kumar v. Hon'ble Allahabad High Court of Judicature through its Registrar General, Allahabad and Ors. : Sher Singh and Ors. v. State of Punjab General Manager, Telecom v. A. Sriniwas Rao and Ors. ( Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited v. Mumbai Shramik Sangh and Ors. Union of India and Ors. v. Hansoli Devi and Ors. ; Central Board of Dawoodi Bohara Community and Ors. v. State of Maharashtra and Ors. 2007 (25) LCD 886: Virendra Kumar v. Hon'ble Allahabad High Court of Judicature through its Registrar General, Allahabad and Ors. General Manager, Telecom v. A. Sriniwas Ran and Ors. S.H. Rangappa v. State of Karnataka and Ors. Chandra Prakash and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. P. Ram Chandra Rao v. State of Karnataka AIR (2005) 2 SCC 673: Central Board of Dawoodi Bohara Community and Ors. v. State of Maharashtra and Ors. . TMA Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka ( Islamic Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka PA Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra Modern Dentral College & Research Institute v. State of MP 2004 8 SCC 217: Islamic Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka Judgment dated 25.2.2005 delivered by the learned Single Judge (Hon'ble Justice Devi Prasad Singh) in Writ Petition No. 5668 (MS) of 2004 (Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar Degree College v. State of UP) and connected writ petitions finally disposing of W.P. No. 4757 (MS) of 2004 and other connected writ petitions; (2005) 6 SCC 537: P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra Hardev Motor Transport v. State of MP. State of U.P. v. Neeraj Awasthi and Ors. (2006) 6 Supreme Court Cases 72: Indian Bank v. Abs Marine Products (P) Ltd. : Prof. Yashpal and Anr. v. State of Chhattisgarh and Ors. State of Maharashtra v. Sant Dnyaneshwar Shikshan Shastra Mahavidvalaya and Ors. : Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India and Anr. : Union Carbide Corporation and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. (: Kalyan Chandra Sarkar v. Rajesh Ranjan Alias Pappu Yadav and Anr.: Ashok Kumar Gupta and Anr. v. State of U.P. and Ors. : State of Kerala v. M. K. Kunhikannan Nambiar 2006 (65) ALR 621: M Meenakshi and Ors. v. Metadeen Agrawal and Ors. 2007 (67) ALR 58; Srichand Jain v. State Of U.P. through Collector, Saharanpur

14. The foundation of arguments advanced by the learned Counsel for the petitioners is based on three Apex Court judgments (supra) as well as the interim order and the final judgment rendered by Hon'ble Single Judge and the Division Bench of this Court at Lucknow.

15. It shall be appropriate to give brief description of dispute which may be divided into two parts.

First Set of Litigation;

16. The first set of litigation relates to admission to B. Ed. Course in the self-finance non-aided educational colleges for the sessions 2005-2006. Admittedly, no State Level Entrance Test was conducted by the State Government or the association of non-aided colleges. In absence of common entrance test, the institutions imparting B. Ed. Education had proceeded to admit the students on their own. They declined to participate in the test conducted by the respective universities to whom they were affiliated. A Division Bench of Allahabad High Court at Lucknow by judgment and order dated 23.5.2007 had dismissed the Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 along with connected writ petitions and held that in absence of common entrance test, respective colleges were correct in admitting the student in the college on their own. The order dated 14.9.2005 and 31.10.2005 issued by the State Government on the basis of entrance test conducted by the respective universities was held to be unlawful and the judgment of Hon'ble Single Judge was upheld. Needless to say that the said two Government orders were set aside by the Hon'ble Single Judge, vide judgment and order dated 22.2.2007, passed in Writ Petition No. 29Q (M/S) of 2007: S.S. College Agra v. State of U.P. and Ors. In some of the writ petitions, relating to Chaudhary Charan Singh University, admissions were made by the individual colleges but the University had declined to permit such students to appear in the examination hence the students have approached this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India. However, in some cases, the students approached seeking admission in the respective institutions without following the entrance test conducted by the University. Keeping in view the order passed by the Division Bench at Lucknow, reference has been made to larger Bench by Hon'ble Single Judge in the manner discussed hereinabove.

Second Set of Litigation:

17. In pursuance of judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in Islamiq Academy (supra), a committee for Fairness and Transparency in Admission Procedure (in short, the committee), has been constituted in the State of U.P. under the Chairmanship of the then Hon'ble Mr. Justice H. N. Tilhari (Rtd.) a retired Judge of this Court.

18. The State Government has issued circular/order dated 15.2.2006 providing that the a University shall hold common entrance test (in short, CET). Against the order of the State Government dated 15.2.2006, the U.P. Management Association of Self-Finance Teachers Training College, Lucknow (in short, the Association) had approached the Committee assailing the State Government decision and claimed that the Association had got right to conduct State Level on its own. The Government order dated 15.2.2006 was issued keeping in view the provisions contained in NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder. After hearing Sri Prashant Chandra, learned Senior Counsel the Committee rejected the claim of the Association vide its order dated 1.6.2006 on the ground that the provisions contained in NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder, have got statutory force and the decision taken by the State Government to hold common entrance test for the Universities for the admission to B. Ed. Courses, was lawful.

19. Feeling aggrieved with the order dated 1.6.2006 of the Committee, the Association filed Writ Petition No. 3022 (M/S) of 2006 at Lucknow and by an interim order dated 22.6.2006, the Government order dated 15.2.2006 as well as the order of the committee dated 1.6.2006 was stayed by the Hon'ble Single Judge of this Court. However, liberty was given by the Hon'ble Single Judge, to the Committee to verify the authenticity of the Association formed by the non-aided self-finance colleges of the State. The Committee has directed the Association to produce the testimonials including the list of members with intention to verify its right to hold State Level Common Entrance Test.

20. The Association again filed application before the Hon'ble Single Judge for clarification of the interim order passed in W.P. No. 3022 (M/S) of 2006. While clarifying its order Hon'ble Single Judge by subsequent order dated 12.9.2006, had opined that the Association was competent to hold the State Level CET but further observed that the Committee has no right to call a report from the Association to supply the list of members. However, liberty was given to the Committee to call report from Registrar of the Society.

21. Against the order dated 12.9.2006, the Association has preferred a petition for Special Leave to Appeal in the Apex Court which was registered as Special Leave to Appeal (Civil) No. 16405/2006. Notices were issued on 29.9.2006. The Apex Court has passed the following order on 19.10.2006:

Heard both sides.

The Special leave petition is dismissed.

22. In Apex Court, during the course of argument, the Association claimed that 300 colleges are its members and they want to conduct entrance test in the last week of October, 2006. However, Special Leave Petition was dismissed on 19.10.2006.

23. It was submitted by Sri D. K. Arora learned Advocate General that when the fact was brought to the notice of Apex Court that all the institutions of the State of U.P. had not joined the Association and the Committee constituted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court is seized with the matter, the Special Leave Petition was dismissed.

24. On 25.9.2006, after hearing parties counsel, the Committee had rejected the claim of the Association. It has been observed by the Commitee that only 15 members constitute the governing body and in Supreme Court, the list of 183 members was submitted and even if it was not found to be true hence, it shall not entitle the Association to conduct State Level Examination since all the colleges of the State had not joined the Association.

25. It was admitted before the Committee that there are 327 colleges in the State imparting B. Ed. Education. It was brought to the notice of the Committee that out of list of 183 institutions submitted in the Supreme Court, 40 colleges have not been affiliated to any University according to provisions of the U.P. Universities Act and the Regulations framed thereunder. Three colleges do not exist and seven names of the colleges have been repeated. Thus, out of 183, 50 names are deducted. The total number of colleges come to 133. Since all 327 colleges have not joined the Association, it lacks jurisdiction to hold CET even in pursuance of the judgment of the Apex Court Judgement in P.A. Inamdar's case (supra). However, during the course of argument Sri P.S. Baghel, the learned Counsel appeared for Poorwanchal University submitted that total unaided private colleges imparting B. Ed. Course is more than 400.

26. Feeling aggrieved with the findings of Committee, another clarification was moved in Writ Petition No. 3022 (MIS) of 2006. The Hon'ble Single Judge though observed that the colleges have right to hold examination but keeping in view that fresh cause of action has arisen the application was rejected on 22.11.2006 with liberty to file fresh writ petition.

27. In consequence to the order passed by the Committee, the Government has issued the order dated 7.11.2006 restraining the Association to conduct the Common Entrance Test in the State of U.P.

28. Feeling aggrieved with the decision of the Committee as well as the consequential Government orders, the Association had filed another Writ Petition No. 5674 (MIS) of 2006 which was dismissed by the judgment and order dated 14.12.2006 by the Hon'ble Single Judge of this Court at Lucknow. While dismissing the Writ Petition No. 5674 (M/S) of 2006, the Hon'ble Single Judge held that all the three judgments of the Apex Court relate to admission in medical and technical education without considering the Act of the Parliament covering the field i.e., the National Council for Teachers Education Act, 1993 (Act No. 73 of 1993) (in short the NCTE Act) and the Regulations framed thereunder. Hon'ble the Single Judge has proceeded to hold that since the NCTE Act is a Central Act, and being a special Act, the admission to B. Ed. Course shall be regulated by the provisions contained therein. The finding recorded by the Committee through its Chairman Hon'ble Mr. Justice H. N. Tilhari in its report dated 25.9.2006 does not suffer from any impropriety or illegality. Hon'ble Single Judge (Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sunil Ambwani) while making reference for constitution of larger Bench, took note of the judgment dated 14.2.2006 passed in Writ Petition No. 5474 (M/S) of 2006.

29. In other judgment which is noticed by Hon'ble Single Judge while making reference for constitution of larger Bench, relates to an interim order dated 26.7.2006 passed in Writ Petition No. 4408 (M/B) of 2006. The State Legislature had promulgated U.P. Ordinance No. 1 of 2006 under the title of the Uttar Pradesh Private and Professional Educational Institutions (Regulation of Admission and Fixation of Fee) Ordinance, 2006, on 10.7.2006 to regulate the admission to non-aided private colleges. By an interim order dated 26.7.2006 the Division Bench of this Court at Lucknow has stayed the implementation of the Ordinance relying upon the Apex Court judgment in P.A. Inamdar's case (supra).

30. While learned Counsel for the parties proceeded to make their submissions, following questions were cropped up which basically relate to proper adjudication for reference made by Hon'ble Single Judges:

(i) Whether on account of judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in TMA Pai's case (supra), followed by other two judgment (Islamiq Academy and PA Inamdar's case (supra), the Central or the State Government may be deprived from its Legislative power conferred by Clause (6) of Article 19 of the/Constitution of India?

(ii) Whether Hon'ble Supreme Court in all three judgments (supra), had considered the provisions contained in NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder as well as the U.P. Universities Act? If not, its impact.

(iii) Whether mandamus may be issued against the statutory provisions contained in NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder as well as the U.P. Universities Act?

(iv) Whether one or more association may be formed to conduct admission test for B. Ed. Courses without subjecting the control of NCTE Act or the U.P. Universities or the Committee constituted in pursuance of the Apex Court judgment in Islamiq Academy's case (supra).

Statutory Provisions:

31. It shall be appropriate that before considering the reference for adjudication, the statutory provisions may be taken into account.

32. The U.P. State Universities Act (in short the Universities Act), was promulgated by State Legislative Assembly to regulate academic and financial admission for higher education in U.P. and obtain presidential assent on 2.9.1973. The aims and objects were to provide equal opportunity in the field of higher studies to the peoples of the State with better academic atmosphere.

33. Under Section 2 and 3 of the Universities Act, certain words like affiliated college, area of the University, associated college, autonomous college, Central Board of Studies, constituent college, existing University, Institute, management, registered graduate, University etc. have been defined. The word, 'management' has been defined as under:

(13) 'management' in relation to an affiliated or associated college, means the managing committee or other body charged with managing the affairs of that college and recognised as such by the University;

[Provided that in relation to any such college maintained by a Municipal Board or a Nagar Mahapalika, the expression 'management' means the education committee of such Board or Mahapalika as the case may be and the expression 'Head of the Management' means the chairman of such committee.]

34. Section 4 of the Universities Act empowers the State to establish a new University for a particular area.

Section 5 of the Universities Act empowers the University to exercise power in respect of area being specified in the schedule provided in the Universities Act.

Section 6 of the Universities Act provides that the University shall be open to all persons irrespective of classes or creeds.

Section 7 of the Universities Act defines powers and duties of the University and Section 7-A of the said Act deals with additional power and duties of certain universities.

Under Section 10 of the Universities Act, the Governor is the Chancellor of the University.

Admissions in Universities are regulated under Section 28 of the Act and Sub-section (5-A) thereof, deals exclusively with the admission in Engineering Colleges.

35. Chapter VII of the Universities Act deals with affiliation and recognition of the colleges. Section 37 of the Universities Act, empowers the University of Agra, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, Meerut and other universities except the Universities of Lucknow and Allahabad, to recognise and affiliate colleges for higher education subject to fulfilment of necessary condition.

Section 38 deals with recognition of associated colleges by the Universities of Lucknow and Allahabad and such other Universities except the Universities of Agra, Gorakhpur, Kanpur or Meerut or the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya.

The provisions relating to students of autonomous colleges has been given under Section 42 of the Universities Act.

36. Chapter VIII of the Universities Act deals with the admission and examinations. Section 45 of the said Act provides the conditions in compliance of which the students may be edible for admission to the course of study for a degree. For convenience Section 45 is reproduced as under:

45. Admission of Students.--(1) No student shall no eligible for admission to the course of study for a degree unless:

(a) he has passed-:

(i) the Intermediate Examination of the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh, or of any University or Board incorporated by any law for the time being in force; or

(ii) any examination, or any degree conferred by any other University, being an examination or degree recognised by the University as equivalent to the Intermediate Examination or to a degree of the University; and

(b) he possesses such further qualifications, if any, as may be specified in the Ordinances:

Provided that the University may prescribe by Ordinances any lower qualifications for admission to a degree in Fine Arts.

(2) The conditions under which students may be admitted to the diploma courses of the University shall be prescribed by the Ordinances.

(3) The University shall have the power to recognise (for the purposes of admission to a course of study for a degree), as equivalent to its own degree, any degree conferred by any other University or, as equivalent to the Intermediate Examination of any Indian University, any examination conducted by any other authority.

(4) Any student whose work or conduct is unsatisfactory may be removed from the University or an Institute or a constituent college or an affiliated or associated college in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinances.

37. Power of State Government to regulate admission in medical engineering colleges in pursuance of power conferred by Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the Universities Act has been upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in 1992 (2) UPLBEC 1288: State of U.P. and Ors. v. Dr. Anupam Gupta.

38. The Ordinance No. 1 of 2006 has been issued by the Legislature to regulate admissions to private aided and non-aided professional educational institutions including minority institutions.

39. The National Council for Teacher Education Act. 1993 (Act No. 73 of 1993) was promulgated by the Parliament and was notified finally on 29.12.1993.

The aims and objects of the Act are reproduced as under:

An Act to provide for the establishment of a National Council for Teacher education with a view to achieving planned and co-ordinated development of the teacher education system throughout the country, the regulation and proper maintenance of norms and standards in the teacher education system and for matter connected therewith.

40. Section 2 of the said Act contains definition clause relating to various words, used in the Act. Sub-section (c) of Section 2 of the Act defines the meaning of 'recognised institution. Section 2 (h) of the Act, defines the word, 'prescribed', Section 2 (i) of the Act defines the word, 'recognised', Section 2 (j) defines the word, 'regional committee' and Section 2 (k) of the Act defines the word, 'regulations'. Section 2 (1) of the Act defines the word, 'teacher 'education', Section 2 (m) of the Act defines the word, 'teacher education qualification', Section 2 (n) of the Act defines the word, 'University'. For convenience, relevant sub-sections of Section 2 of the Act is reproduced as under:

(h) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under Section 31;

(i) "recognised institution" means an institution recognised by the Council under Section 14;

(j) "Regional Committee" means a committee established under Section 20;

(k) "regulations" means regulations made under Section 32;

(l) "teacher education" means programmes of education, research training of persons for equipping them to teach at pre-primary, primary, secondary and senior secondary stages in schools, and includes non-formal education, part-time education, adult education and correspondence education;

(m) "teacher education qualification" means a degree, diploma or certificate in teacher education awarded by a University or examining body in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(n) "University" means a University defined under Clause (f) of Section 2 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 and includes an institution deemed to be a University under Section 3 of that Act;

41. Section 12 of the Act deals with the functions of the Council. Under Section 3 of the NCTE Act, the Central Government by notifying in the Official Gazette, established a Council called as the National Council for Teacher Education, in short NCTE. Section 12 lays down various functions of the Council.

42. Section 13 relates to inspection of the institution which are recognised or proposed to be recognised by the Council to impart education like B. Ed. courses etc. Section 14 mentions mandatory condition for recognition of institutions offering course or training in teacher education. Under Section 15 of the NCTE Act, the regional committee has been empowered to grant recognition to start new courses. The embargo has been placed for the examining bodies like universities provided no affiliation shall be granted unless recognition has been granted by the regional committee of the NCTE. Section 17 of the NCTE Act, lays down that in case institution is recognised by the regional committee or the NCTE the university concerned to which an institution has been affiliated shall derecognise such institution. Section 32 of the NCTE Act, empowers the council to frame regulation by publication in official gazette not inconsistent with the provisions of the Act and Rules made thereunder. Relevant portion of Sub-section (2) of Section 32 of the NCTE Act, may be reproduced as under:

32 (2).(f) conditions required for the proper functioning of the institution and conditions for granting recognition under Clause (1) of Sub-section (3) of Section 14;

(h) conditions required for the proper conduct of a new course or training and conditions for granting permission under Clause (a) of Sub-section (3) of Section 15;

43. In pursuance of power conferred under Section 32 of the Act, the council had framed regulations in the year 2002 which was amended in 2005 providing norms and standards for secondary teachers education programme (i.e., B. Ed. Course). Regulations, 2002 provides that duration of B. Ed. programme shall be at least one academic year and the one unit shall admit 100 students to impart B. Ed. education. The Regulation provides that candidates with at least 45 marks in Bachelor's/Master's Degree with at least two school subjects at the graduation level shall be eligible for admission to B. Ed. course. According to Regulation 2002, the admission is to be made either on the basis of marks obtained by qualifying examination or by the entrance examination conducted by the University/State Government to which the institution is affiliated. The relevant portion of Regulation 2002 is reproduced as under:

Appendix-7 Norms and Standards for Secondary Teacher Education Programme (B. Ed.)

2. Duration and Intake

a) The B. Ed. programme shall be of a duration of at least one academic year.

b) There shall be a unit of 100 students for ensuring optimum utilisation of physical and instructional infrastructure and expertise of the teaching staff. Division into appropriate batches may be done at the institutional level for effective curriculum transaction.

3. Eligibility

a) Candidates with at least 45% marks in the Bachelor's/Master's Degree with at least two school subjects at the graduation level are eligible for admission.

b) Admission should be made either on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination or in the entrance examination conducted by the University/State Government, as per the policy of the State Government/University, to which the institution is affiliated.

c) There shall be reservation of seats for SC/ST/OBC, Handicapped, Women, etc. as per the rules of the concerned State Government.

44. For degree education (M. Ed.), the NCTE Regulation provides for training of one academic year after B. Ed. with intake capacity of 40 students in one academic year. Candidate who possess 45% marks in B. Ed. course, shall be entitled for admission to M. Ed. course.

45. The NCTE, under the title of Norms and Standards for Secondary Teacher Education Programme leading to Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.) Degree, makes certain variation providing that candidate possessing 50% marks either in the Bachelor's Degree and/or in the Master's degree or any other qualification equivalent thereto, shall be eligible for admission to the programme. The admission procedure has been maintained either on the basis of qualifying examination or the entrance test or any other selection process as per the policy of the State Government/U.T. Administration and the University. The relevant portion of the said Regulation is reproduced as under:

Norms and Standards for Secondary Teacher Education Programme leading to Bachelor of Education (B. Ed) Degree 3.0 Intake, Eligibility and Admission Procedure 3.1 Intake There shall be a unit of 100 students divided into two sections of 50 each for general sessions and not more than 25 students per teacher for a school subject for methods courses and other practical activities of the programme to facilitate participatory teaching and learning.

3.2 Eligibility 3.2.1. Candidates with at least 50% marks either in the Bachelor's Degree and/or in the Master's degree or any other qualification equivalent thereto, are eligible for admission to the programme.

3.2.2 There shall be relaxation of marks/reservation of seats for candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC communities and other categories as per the Rules of the Central/State Government/U.T Administration concerned.

3.3 Admission Procedure Admission shall be made on merit on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination and/or in the entrance examination or any other selection process as per the policy of the State Government/U.T. Administration and the University.

46. In Regulation 3.2 provides the minimum marks which is 50%. Earlier, it was 45%. However, it has been subjected to Regulation 3.3 which deals with the actual admission procedure. The word, 'or' as well as the word, 'and' has been used in disjunction. It is settled law that 'or' sometimes denors or may be used as and 'and' may be used as 'or'. In the present case, it appears that admission shall be made in pursuance of qualifying examination. Such qualifying examination or the entrance examination shall be held in pursuance of the policy of the State Government. Thus, the examination can be held either by the State Government and in case the State Government decides, it can delegate such power to the Universities. The NCTE to its wisdom, had provided that admission procedure shall be in accordance with the policy decision taken by the State Government. Thus, instead of proceedings on its own, the NCTE delegated its power to the State Government.

47. It was submitted by Sri Prashant Chandra learned Senior Counsel that individual colleges have got right to admit candidates on the basis of qualifying marks obtained in qualifying examination i.e., graduation or post-graduation level but the submission of Sri Prashant Chandra seems to be not correct. While interpreting the statutory provisions, a meaning should be given to each and every word and not in isolation.

48. The State Government under the power conferred by Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the Universities Act, framed the Regulation in the year 1987 under the title of Uttar Pradesh State Universities (Regulation of Admission to Courses of Instruction for Degree in Education In Affiliated, Associated and Constituent Colleges) Order, 1987, to regulate admissions in B. Ed. and M. Ed. courses. The universities were empowered to accept application or organise their own entrance test in pursuance of power conferred by para-6 and 7 of the Regulation 1987 which is reproduced as under:

6. Application for Admission.--(1) Every candidate for admission to B. Ed. classes shall apply in the manner hereinafter provided in the prescribed form to be obtained from the office of the Registrar of the concerned University on payment of Rs. 10 for each form. The last date for applying for admission shall ordinarily be the 31st day of May or such date in the month of June as the University may prescribe.

(2) The candidate shall send the application form by Registered post to the Registrar of the University;

(3) No application received in the office of the Registrar after such date as may be prescribed by the University in this behalf shall be entertained.

7. Examination for admission.--(a) Every University shall organise its own combined admission examination for admission to B. Ed. courses in its affiliated, associated and constituent colleges. The admission examination of all the Universities shall be organised on one and the same date as may be fixed by the State Government.

49. However, keeping in view the Apex Court judgment in Islamiq Academy's case (supra) and the Regulations framed by the Council under the NCTE Act, Order, 1987 was amended. The relevant amended provisions of para 7, 12, 14 of the Uttar Pradesh State Universities (Regulation of Admission to Courses of Instruction for Degree in Education In Affiliated, Associated and Constituent Colleges) (Fourth Amendment) Order,2005 are reproduced as under:

7. Every University shall organise its own combined admission examination for admission to B. Ed. courses in its affiliated, associated and constituent colleges. The admission examination of all the Universities shall be organised on one and the same date as may be fixed by the State Government.

7. (a) In case the entrance examination for admission to B. Ed. Course is conducted by the Association of self-financing institutions, the date of this examination shall be other than the date of examination conducted by the University.

12.(1) Separate merit lists for reserved and general seats shall be prepared on the basis of marks obtained in admission examination and the marks obtained under para 11 mentioned above;

(2) If the marks obtained by two or more candidates on the basis of admission examination and para 11 are equal preference shall be given to the candidate of the same University or of college affiliated or associated with or constituent of the same University If still the marks are equal then candidate being elder will be given preference.

(3) If against the conduct of any candidate there is report in writing of District Magistrate or against whom criminal proceedings are in process in any court of law or if candidate has been punished by any court in any criminal case or if the candidate has been debarred from University Examination for two or more years due to use of unfair means the Principal of the college can refuse admission to such candidate with prior written approval of the Vice-Chancellor.

(4) The criteria for preparing merit list on the basis of entrance examination conducted by the Association of self-financing institutions with prior permission of the University and under the supervision of the University shall be the same as provided above.

14.(a) The Principal of the concerned college shall give admission to the candidates after verifying their original certificates;

(b) The provisional certificate specially for the marks under para 11 shall not be accepted.

(c) The Principal has to take prior approval of the Vice-Chancellor before finally refusing admission to any candidate;

(d) The University shall also prepare a waiting list. If any seat falls vacant within a month after the classes have started it will be filled from waiting list. It shall be the responsibility of the University to intimate the college and the candidate to fill the vacant seats;

(e) Every candidate selected for admission shall before admission have to furnish a certificate countersigned by the Chief Medical Officer in which it should be clearly mentioned that the candidate does not stammer and on account of any disease of the ear, eye or any other limb is not unfit to be a teacher;

(f) Admissions under management quota shall be made by the college on the basis of the merit list of the students selected in the entrance examination conducted by the University concerned, which shall be prepared as per para 12 of the aforesaid order. But in case the entrance examination is conducted by the Association of the self-financing institutions with prior permission and under the supervision of the University admission under the management quota shall be made on the basis of the merit list of such an entrance examination also. But such option shall be exercised by the college concerned before commencement of the admission procedure only after seeking prior approval of the University concerned. For admission under management quota the college concerned shall publish notice for inviting admission applications in most widely circulated daily news papers of the district concerned, which shall include the last date for submission of applications which shall last up to at least 15 days after the date of publication of such notice. The merit list shall be prepared on the basis of all the applications received till the last date. This merit list shall be approved by the University concerned and in accordance with the approved merit list, admissions of the students shall be made against the number of seats as determined by the State Government under the management quota. In case the students up to the number of seats determined under the management quota are not available, the same procedure shall be repeated to complete admissions. Only such students shall be eligible for applying under this admission procedure who have participated in the entrance examination conducted by the University and also whose names find place in the merit list declared by the University or whose names are published in the merit list of the entrance examination conducted by the Association of the self-financing institutions. Other provisions with regards to admissions under management quota shall be as above.

50. It is settled law that every word of statute should be given a meaning. While interpreting a statutory provision the entire section or whole of the statute, as the case may be, should be considered. According to Maxwell on the Interpretation of Statutes (12th edition page 36) any construction which may leave without affecting any part of the language of a statute should ordinarily be rejected.

Relevant portion from Maxwell on the Interpretation of Statutes (12th edition page 36) is reproduced as under:

A construction which would leave without effect any part of the language of a statute will normally be rejected. Thus, where an Act plainly gave an appeal from one quarter sessions to another, it was observed that such a provision, though extraordinary and perhaps an oversight, could not be eliminated.

In view of above, the court should always avoid interpretation, which would leave any part of the provision to be interpreted without effect. While doing so every clause of a statute is to be construed with reference to the context and other clauses of the Act to make a consistent enactment of the whole statute-According to Maxwell (supra at page 47), statutory language should not be read in isolation but in its context.

51. While referring a decision of House of Lord reported in AG v. HRH Prince Ernest Augustus 1957 (1) AH ER 49 (HL) in a famous treatise Principles of Statutory Interpretation by Justice G.P. Singh, the views of Lord Tucker has been discussed with approval as under (9th Edition page 34):

In an appeal before the House of Lords, where the question was of the true import of a statute, the Attorney-General wanted to call in aid the preamble in support of the meaning which he contended should be given to the enacting part, but in doing so was met by the argument on behalf of the respondent that where the enacting part of a statute is clear and unambiguous, it cannot be controlled by the preamble which cannot be read. The House of Lords rejected the objection to the reading of the preamble,. Although, ultimately it came to the conclusion that the enacting part was clear and unambiguous. VISCOUNT SIMONDS (LORD TUCKER agreeing) in that connection said: "I conceive it to be my right and duty to examine every word of a statute in its context, and I use context in its widest sense as including not only other enacting provisions of the same statute, but its preamble, the existing state of the law, other statutes in pari materia, and the mischief which I can, by those and other legitimate means, discern that the statute was intended to remedy.

52. Learned author (supra) again proceeded to consider the judgement of Australian High Court and views of Lord Steyn in a case reported in 2002 (4) All ER 654. R v. National Asylum Support Service (page 35) to quote:

As rightly pointed out by the High Court of Australia, "the modern approach to statutory interpretation (a) insists that the context be considered in the first instance, not merely at some later stage when ambiguity might be thought to arise, and (b) uses context in its widest sense to include such things as the existing state of the law and the mischief which, by legitimate means-one may discern the statute was intended to remedy. LORD STEYN recently expressed the same view as follows: "The starting point is that language in all legal texts conveys meaning according to the circumstance is which it was used, it follows that context must always be identified and considered before the process of construction or during it. It is therefor wrong to say that the court may only resort to evidence of the contextual scene when an ambiguity has arisen.

53. Thus, the exposition 'ex visceribus actus' is a long recognised rule of construction. Words in a statute often take their meaning from the context of the statute as a whole. They are, therefore, not to be considered in isolation. Hon'ble Supreme Court in a case reported in, ", Mohan Kumar Singhania v. Union of India" has proceeded to hold as under:

However, it is suffice to say that while interpreting a statute the consideration of inconvenience and hardships should be avoided and that when the language is clear and explicit and the words used are plain and unambiguous, were are bound to construe them in their ordinary sense with reference to other clauses of the Act or Rules as the case may be, so far as possible, to make a consistent enactment of the whole statute or series of statute/Rules/regulations relating to the subject matter. Added to this, in construing statute, the court has to ascertain the intention of the law making authority in the backdrop of the dominant purpose and underlying intendment of the said statute and that every statute is to be interpreted about any violence to its language and applied as far as its explicit language admits consistent with the established rules of interpretation.

The aforesaid settled rule of interpretation has been affirmed by the Apex Court from time to time in various cases including , M/s Gammon India Ltd. and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. (para 19) AIR 1978 SSC 995, M/s Punjab Beverages Ltd., Chandigarh v. Suresh Chand and Anr. (para 5), , Kailash Chandra and Anr. v. Mukundi Lal and Ors. (para 10) and , Grasim Industries Ltd. and Anr. v. State of M.P. and S. Sundaram Pillai and Ors. v. V.R. Pattabiraman and Ors.

54. A close reading and scrutiny of the Order, 2005 indicates that it was issued by the State Government, in pursuance of the power conferred by the statutory Regulations framed by the NCTE and notified on 27.5.2005 and was amended by the State Government on 1.9.2007. The amended Clause (c) of sub-para (1) of para 3 of the Order, 2005 provides that in case the entrance examination is conducted by the self-financing institution at State level, then the date of such examination shall be other than the date of the examination conducted by the University. The amended para-7 (a), and 14 (f) of the Order, 2005 are reproduced as under:

7. (a) In case the entrance examination for admission to B. Ed. Course is conducted by the Association of self-financing institutions at State level, the date of this examination shall be other than the date of examination conducted by the University.

14 (f). Admission under management quota shall be made by the college on the basis of the merit list of the students selected in the entrance examination conducted by the University concerned, which shall be prepared as per para 12 of the aforesaid order. But in case the entrance examination is conducted by the Association of the self-financing institutions at State level with prior permission and under the supervision of the Entrance Procedure Determination Committee, admission under the management quota shall be made on the basis of the merit list of such an entrance examination also. But such option shall be exercised by the college concerned before commencement of the admission procedure only after obtaining prior approval of the University concerned/State Government. For admission under management quota the college concerned shall publish notice for inviting admission applications in most widely circulated daily news papers of the district concerned, which shall include the last date for submission of applications which shall last up the at least 15 days after the date of publication of such notice. The merit list shall be prepared on the basis of all the applications received till the last date. This merit list shall be approved by the University concerned and in accordance with the approved merit list, admissions of the student, shall be made against the number of seats as determined by the State Government under the management quota. In case the students up to the number of seats determined under the management quota are not available, the same procedure shall be repeated to complete admissions. Only such students shall be eligible for applying under this admission procedure who have participated in the entrance examination conducted by the University and also whose names find place in the merit list declared by the University or whose names are published in the merit list of the entrance examination conducted by the Association of the self-financing institutions at State Level. Other provisions with regards to admissions under management quota shall be as above.

55. A perusal of the Government order referred to hereinabove, indicates that the State Government has proceeded to take decision initially, in pursuance of the NCTE Regulations and thereafter in pursuance of the three Apex Court Judgments.

56. Needless to say, the NCTE Act, being an Act of Parliament, shall be applicable being issued in pursuance of the powers conferred by the entry 66 of List I of Schedule VII of the Constitution. A constitutional bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case Dr. Preeti Srivastava and Anr. v. State of U.P. and Ors. while considering the power of State Government under Entry 25 of List II of Schedule VIII and the entry 66 of List I of Schedule VII of the Constitution had proceeded to held as under:

35. The legislative competence of Parliament and the legislatures of the States to make laws under Article 246 is regulated by the VIIth Schedule to the Constitution. In the VIIth Schedule as originally in force, Entry 11 of List II gave to the State Government an exclusive power to legislate on education including universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63, 64, 65 and 66 of List I and Entry 25 of List III.

Entry 11 of List II was deleted and Entry 25 of List III was amended with effect from 3.1.1976 as a result of the Constitution 42nd Amendment Act of 1976. The present Entry 25 in the Concurrent List is as follows:

25. Education, including technical education, medical education and universities, subject to the provisions of Entries 63, 64, 65, and 66 of List I; vocational and technical training of labour.

Entry 25 is subject, inter alia, to Entry 66 of List I. Entry 66 of List I is as follows:

66. Coordination and determination of standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions.

Both the Union as well as the States have the power to legislate on education including medical education, subject, inter alia, to Entry 66 of List I which deals with laying down standards in institutions for higher education or research and scientific and technical institutions as also coordination of such standards. A State has, therefore, the right to control education including medical education so long as the field is not occupied by any Union legislation. Secondly, the State cannot, while controlling education in the State, impinge on standards in institutions for higher education. Because this is exclusively within the purview of the Union Government. Therefore, while prescribing the criteria for admission to the institutions for higher education including higher medical education, the State cannot adversely affect the standards laid down by the Union of India under Entry 66 of List I. Secondly, while considering the cases on the subject it is also necessary to remember that from 1977, education, including, inter alia, medical and university education, is now in the Concurrent List so that the Union can legislate on admission criteria also. If it does so, the State will not be able to legislate in this field, except as provided in Article 254.

36. It would not be correct to say that the norms for admission have no connection with the standard of education, or that the rules for admission are covered only by Entry 25 of List III. Norms of admission can have a direct impact on the standards of education. Of course, there can be rules for admission which are consistent with or do not affect adversely the standards of education prescribed by the Union in exercise of powers under Entry 66 of List I. For example, a State may, for admission to the postgraduate medical courses, lay down qualifications in addition to those prescribed under Entry 66 of List I. This would be consistent with promoting higher standards for admission to the higher educational courses. But any lowering of the norms laid down can and does have an adverse effect on the standards of education in the institutes of higher education. Standards of education in an institution or college depend on various factors. Some of these are:

(1) the calibre of the teaching staff;

(2) a proper syllabus designed to achieve a high level of education in the given span of time;

(3) the student-teacher ratio;

(4) the ratio between the students and the hospital beds available to each student;

(5) the calibre of the students admitted to the institution;

(6) equipment and laboratory facilities, or hospital facilities for training in the case of medical colleges;

(7) adequate accommodation for the college and the attached hospital;

and (8) the standard of examinations held including the manner in which the papers are set and examined and the clinical performance is judged.

37. While considering the standards of education in any college or institution, the calibre of students who are admitted to that institution or college cannot be ignored. If the students are of a high calibre, training programmes can be suitably moulded so that they can receive the maximum benefit out of a high level of teaching....

57. In the above case of Dr. Preeti Srivastava, Hon'ble the Constitution Bench further held that the minimum standards laid down by the Central statutes, have to be complied with by the State while making admission. It has further been held that under the University Act while laying down any criteria, it shall be necessary that minimum standards laid down by the Central statute should be followed. Para-39 of the said case (supra) is reproduced as under:

39. The respondents have emphasised the observation that admission has to be made by those who are in control of the colleges. But, the question is, on what basis? Admissions must be made on a basis which is consistent with the standards laid down by a statute or regulation framed by the Central Government in the exercise of its powers under Entry 66 List I. At times, in some of the judgments, the words "eligibility" and "qualification" have been used interchangeably and in some cases a distinction has been made between the two words--"eligibility" connoting the minimum criteria for selection that may be laid down by the University Act or any Central statute, while "qualifications" connoting the additional norm laid down by the colleges or by the State. In every case the minimum standards as laid down by the Central statute or under it, have to be complied with by the State while making admissions. It may, in addition, lay down other additional norms for admission or regulate admissions in the exercise of its powers under Entry 25 List III in a manner not inconsistent with or in a manner which does not dilute the criteria so laid down.

58. The constitutional validity of Sub-section (4) of Section 17 of the NCTE Act was challenged and declared ultra vires by the Rajasthan High Court. Union of India filed am appeal in the Apex Court, The Apex Court had allowed the appeal and upheld the vires of Section 17 (4) of the NCTE Act in a judgment Union of India and Ors. v. Shah Goverdhan L. Kabra Teachers' College. It was held by the Apex Court that Article 246 of the Constitution is the source of power to legislate the law and the entries in the three lists of Schedule VII, of the Constitution, are the "fields of legislation". The Supreme Court rules that widest interpretation should be given to entries subject to condition that the meaning should not be extended beyond their reasonable connotation and the construction should not be so wide as to override or render otiose another entry. In the event of conflict between two entries, the true character of the enactment should be examined us a whole including its object, scope and effect by applying principles of "pith and substance". Accordingly, declaration of invalidity of an educational certificate granted by derecognised institution from the council as envisaged by Sub-section (4) of Section 17 of the NCTE Act was held to be intra vires. Union Legislature was held to be competent to legislate the law keeping in view the entry 66 of List I of Schedule VII of the Constitution. It was further held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court that derecognition of B. Ed. Course by NCTE cannot be nullified on the ground of failure to comply with the principle of natural justice.

59. In a case St. Johns Teachers Training Institute. v. Regional Director, National Council For Teacher Education and Anr. the vires of Regulation 5(e)(f) of the National Council for Teacher Education (Application for Recognition, the Manner for Submission, Determination of Conditions for Recognition of Institutions and Permission to Start New Course or Training) Regulations, 1995, framed by the NCTE was challenged on the ground that it is ultra vires to provisions of NCTE Act. In pursuance to power conferred by Section 32 of the Act, the impugned Regulation was notified on 29.12.1995 as reflected from para-8 of the judgment.

60. While upholding the vires of Regulations, Hon'ble Supreme Court in St. Johns Teachers Training Institute (supra) held that the Regulation is a Rule or order prescribed by superior for the management of some business and employees as a rule for general course of action. Rules and Regulations are all comprised in delegated legislations. The power to make subordinate legislation is derived from the enabling Act and it is fundamental that the delegate on whom such a power is conferred has to act within the limits of authority conferred by the Act. Rules cannot be made to supplant the provisions of the enabling Act but to supplement it. What is permitted is the delegation of ancillary or subordinate legislative functions, or what is fictionally called, a power to fill up details. The legislature may, after laying down the legislative policy confer discretion on an administrative agency as to the execution of the policy and leave it to the agency to work out the details within the framework of policy. The need for delegated legislation is that they are framed within care and minuteness. The statutory authority making the rule, after coming into force of the Act, is in a better position to adapt the Act to special circumstances. Delegated legislation permits utilisation of experience and consultation with interests affected by the practical operation of statutes. The specific power conferred by the statutes to make rules and regulations establish the pattern of conduct to be followed. Regulations are in aid of enforcement of the provisions of the statute. The process of legislation by departmental regulations saves time and is intended to deal with local variations. The power to legislate the statutory instrument in the form of rules and regulations is conferred by Parliament. The main justification for delegated legislation is that the legislature being overburdened and the needs of the modern-day society being complex, it cannot possibly foresee every administrative difficulty that may arise after the statute has begun to operate. Delegated legislation fills those needs. The regulations made under power conferred by the statute are supporting legislation and have the force of law and effect, if validly made, as an Act passed by the competent legislature.

61. The Apex Court further held (supra) that power conferred by Section 14 read with Section 32 of the NCTE Act to frame Regulation is intra vires to Act and does not suffer from any excessive delegation. There shall be presumption that the vires of subordinate legislation is intra vires and if it is open to two constructions, one of which would make it valid and the other invalid, the courts must adopt that construction which makes it valid and the legislation can also be read down to avoid its being declared ultra vires. The Apex Court further ruled in the St. Johns case (supra)), that power conferred by Regulation on the State Government or Union territory, does not suffer from excessive delegation. It cannot, therefore, be urged that the power conferred on the State Government or Union Territory, while considering an application for grant of an NOC, is an arbitrary or unchannelled power. The State Government or the Union Territory has to necessarily confine itself to the guidelines issued by the Council while considering the application for grant of an NOC.

Meaning thereby, while framing regulations, Council has got power to confer on the State Government or the Universities to discharge such function within the parameters provided by it keeping in view the statutory provisions contained in the NCTE Act. While upholding the validity of Council to frame regulation, the Apex Court in the case of St. John's case (supra) observed that the impugned Regulations are perfectly valid and intra vires the Act.

62. In Krishnasamy Reddiar Educational Trust. v. Member Secretary, National Council for Teacher Education and Anr. the law laid down in St. John's case (supra), has been reiterated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court upholding the power of NCTE to frame Regulations in pursuance of power conferred by Section 32 of the Act.

63. In : Rajesh Kumar Gupta and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. where the question relates to admission to Special BTC Training Course in the State of U.P. cropped up though, the Apex Court upheld the right of the State Government to impart Special BTC Training Course under the U.P. Basic Education Act by recognising the training but upheld the judgment of the Allahabad High Court which had set aside the Special BTC Training Course being not recognised by the NCTE keeping in view the provisions of Section 16 of the Act. It was held by the Apex Court that though the State Government is empowered to impart Special BTC Training Course in pursuance of statutory provisions but that can be done only with prior recognition by the Council under NCTE Act. The BTC Training Course formulated by the State Government was held to be contrary to the provisions of NCTE Act.

64. In ; National Council for Teacher Education and Anr. v. Committee of Management and Ors. the Apex Court held the power of the Council to frame regulations in pursuance of powers conferred by Section 14 read with 32 of the NCTE Act. For convenience, relevant portion of para-16 thereof, is reproduced hereunder:

16. Regulations could be framed by the appellant under subsection (1) of Section 32 read with Section 14 thereof. Section 14, as noticed hereinbefore, itself provides that the applications are required to be filed in such form and in such a manner as was determined by the Regulations. The Regulations could have thus also been framed in terms of Sub-section (1) of Section 14 of the Act. We have, however, noticed hereinbefore that Clause (e) of Sub-section (2) of Section 32 specifically refers to Section 14 of the Act for the purpose of laying down the form and manner in which the applications for recognition are required to be submitted.

Their lordships at Apex Court further held that substantial compliance of Regulations is necessary even if they are held to be directory in nature. For convenience relevant portion of para-17 is reproduced hereunder:

17. For the aforementioned purpose, it is not necessary for us to determine the question as to whether the provisions of the Regulations are imperative in character or not. There cannot, however, be any doubt or dispute that even if they are directory in nature, substantial compliance thereof was necessary.

65. The aforesaid proposition of law has been reiterated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in ; State of Maharashtra v. Sant Dnyaneshwar Shikshan Shastra Mahavidyalaya and Ors. wherein the validity of Regulation 2002, framed by the NCTE was in question. While relying upon the case of St. Johns (supra), Hon'ble Supreme Court held as under:

65. It is true that during the pendency of St. Johns Teachers Training Institute NCTE framed regulations called the NCTE (Form of Application for Recognition, the Time-limit of Submission of Application, Determination of Norms and Standards for Recognition of Teacher Education Programmes and Permission to Start New Course or Training) Regulations, 2002.

67. The above Regulations came into force from 13.11.2002 and they insisted that application should be accompanied by NOC from the State Government/Union Territory in which the institution is located.

68. In view of the fact, however, that according to us, the final authority lies with NCTE and we are supported in taking that view by various decisions of this Court, NCTE cannot be deprived of its authority or power in taking an appropriate decision under the Act irrespective of absence of no-objection certificate by the State Government/Union Territory. Absence or non-production of NOC by the institution, therefore, was immaterial and irrelevant so far as the power of NCTE is concerned.

66. In the case of Sant Dnyaneshwar (supra), the Apex Court further held (para-76) that NCTE, under its guidelines, may permit the State Government to collect necessary data and material and make them available to it so that NCTE may take appropriate decision, in accordance with provisions contained in NCTE Act.

In the same case Hon'ble Supreme Court further held that provisions contained in Universities Act, shall not be nullified but they shall apply to the institutions covered by the NCTE Act. It has further been held that once recognition is granted by NCTE then every university shall oblige to grant affiliation. Thus, controversy in the case of Sant Dnyaneshwar (supra), relates to affiliation of college and not the admission of students.

67. In a recent judgment Union of India and Anr. v. Shardindu Hon'ble Supreme Court had affirmed the primacy of NCTE Act and upheld the enforceability of the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act relating to appointment of Chairperson of NCTE for the stipulated period of four years.

68. Thus, it has been the consistent view of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, that the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act, in pursuance of powers conferred by Section 14 read with Section 32, has got statutory and binding force and the NCTE has got right to receive information or delegate certain powers to State Government or its universities for the enforcement of the Act. However, while doing so, the State Government or the Universities have to function under the control and command of the NCTE Act and the Rules and Regulations framed thereunder.

69. The combined reading of constitution Bench judgment in the case of Preeti Srivastava (supra), and St. John Teachers Training Institute (supra) as well as various cases decided by Apex Court while deciding the controversy relating to interpretation of NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder, it shall be correct to hold that the order passed by the Council in pursuance of the powers conferred by NCTE and the Regulations framed thereunder shall have binding effect. In case Regulations framed under NCTE Act confer certain powers or discretion to the State Government relating to admission to B.Ed. Courses, then a consequential power exercised by the State Government shall be lawful, just and proper. In the present case, since the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act confers powers to the State Government to hold the entrance test in accordance with its policy then it shall not be unlawful for the State Government to frame appropriate Regulations to hold entrance test or confer certain power to universities constituted under the said Act to hold entrance test. While issuing an order in pursuance of provisions contained in Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the U.P. State Universities Act as held in Preeti Srivastava's case (supra), the discretion exercised by the State Government must be within the four corners of the delegated powers conferred by the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act. The State Government, its authorities, local bodies of universities do not possess the jurisdiction to do anything in contravention of the provisions contained in NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder;

70. The next question relates to interpretation of Apex Court judgments to ascertain the questions referred to larger Bench relating to their applicability for admission to B.Ed. courses, It shall be appropriate that all three Apex Court judgments (supra), may be discussed in brevity before arriving at any conclusion.

TMA Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka

71. The case TMA Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka (supra), has been decided by 11 Hon'ble Judges of Hon'ble Supreme Court. The controversy was referred by a Constitution Bench of 5 Hon'ble Judges in a writ petition filed by Islamiq Academy of Education and connected writ petitions where, the Bench had expressed its views while interpreting Article 30 of the Constitution that it did not clothe a minority educational institution with the power to adopt its own method of selection. The reference to large Bench has been noticed in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra) in para 3 of the judgment which shall be appropriate to reproduce the relevant portion as under:

3. When the cases came up for hearing before an eleven-Judge Bench, during the course of hearing on 19.3.1997, the following order was passed:

Since a doubt has arisen during the course of our arguments as to whether this Bench would feel itself bound by the ratio propounded in-Kerala Education Bill, 1957, In Re AIR 1958 SC 956 : 1959 SCR 995 and Ahmedabad St. Xavier's College Society v. State of Gujarat it is clarified that this sized Bench would not feel itself inhibited by the views expressed in those cases since the present endeavour is to discern the true scope and interpretation of Article 30 (1) of the Constitution, which being the dominant question would require examination in its pristine purity. The factum is recorded.

72. Thus, the issue cropped up and referred to 11 Hon'ble Judges in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra). The submissions made by the parties before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), as is evident from perusal of para 7, 17 of the writ petition, also seem to relate to the interpretation of Article 29 and 30 of the Constitution as noticed by leading judgment delivered by Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. N. Kirpal the then Chief Justice.

73. In the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), Hon'ble Supreme Court had held that affiliation and recognition to a Board of University subject to fulfilment of necessary condition may not be made compulsory. However, the Hon'ble Supreme Court observed that in the Government aided institutions, the Government will have greater say in the administration including admission and fixing of fees but in the private unaided institutions, maximum autonomy in day to day administration should be given. Bureaucratic or governmental interference shall undermine its regulation. For convenience, the relevant portion of para 55 if the judgment in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), is reproduced as under:

55. ...There can be no doubt that in seeking affiliation or recognition, the Board or the university or the affiliating or recognizing authority can lay down conditions consistent with the requirement to ensure the excellence of education. It can, for instance, indicate the quality of the teachers by prescribing the minimum qualifications that they must possess and the courses of study and curricula. It can, for the same reasons, also stipulate the existence of infrastructure sufficient for its growth, as a prerequisite. But the essence of a private educational institution is the autonomy that the institution must have in its management and administration. There, necessarily, has to be a difference in the administration of private unaided institutions and the government-aided institutions. Whereas in the latter case, the Government will have greater say in the administration, including admissions and fixing of fees, in the case of private unaided institutions, maximum autonomy in the day-to-day administration has to be with the private unaided institutions. Bureaucratic or governmental interference in the administration of such an institution will undermine its independence. While an educational institution is not a business, in order to examine the degree of independence that can be given to a recognized educational institution, like any private entity that does not seek aid or assistance from the Government, and that exists by virtue of the funds generated by it, including its loans or borrowings, it is important to note that the essential ingredients of the management of the private institution include the recruiting students and staff, and the quantum of fee that is to be charged.

74. Their Lordships at Apex Court further proceeded to hold that for admission to any professional institution, merit mus play an important role. Excellence in professional education would require that greater emphasis be laid on the merit of a student seeking admission. Appropriate regulations for this purpose may be made keeping in view the other observations made in this judgment in the context of admissions to unaided institutions. For convenience, relevant portion of judgment of TMA Pai Foundation

58. ...Excellence in professional education would require that greater emphasis be laid on the merit of a student seeking admission. Appropriate regulations for this purpose may be made keeping in view the other observations made in this judgment in the context of admissions to unaided institutions.

59. Merit is usually determined, for admission to professional and higher education colleges, by either the marks that the student obtains at the qualifying examination or school-leaving certificate stage followed by the interview, or by a common entrance test conducted by the institution, or in the case of professional colleges, by government agencies.

66. In the case of private unaided educational institutions, the authority granting recognition or affiliation can certainly lay down conditions for the grant of recognition or affiliation; these conditions must pertain broadly to academic and educational matters and welfare of students and teachers-but how the private unaided institutions are to run is a matter of administration to be taken care of by the management of those institutions.

75. The case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), further provides that rules and regulations providing the procedure for admission to aided and unaided institutions may be different. At time of granting recognition, some sufficient discretion may be provided to management of unaided institution in the matter of admission by the management. This may be done by reservation of certain percentage of seats for admission by management. For convenience para 68 of the said judgment is reproduced as under:

68. It would be unfair to apply the same rules and regulations regulating admission to both aided and unaided professional institutions. It must be borne in mind that unaided professional institutions are entitled to autonomy in their administration while, at the same time, they do not forego or discard the principle of merit. It would, therefore, be permissible for the university or the Government, at the time of granting recognition, to require a private unaided institution to provide for merit-based selection while, at the same time, giving the management sufficient discretion in admitting students. This can be done through various methods. For instance, a certain percentage of the seats can be reserved for admission by the management out of those students who have passed the common entrance test held by itself or by the State/university and have applied to the college concerned for admission, while the rest of the seats may be filled up on the basis of counselling by the State agency. This will incidentally take care of poorer and backward selections of the society. The prescription of percentage for this purpose has to be done by the Government according to the local needs and different percentages can by fixed for minority unaided and non-minority unaided and professional colleges. The same principles may be applied to other non-professional but unaided educational institutions viz. graduation and postgraduation non-professional colleges or institutes.

76. While admitting the State right to legislate the statutory provisions, frame rules and regulations, Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), held that unless rules and regulations are demonstrated to be violative of some constitutional provisions or provisions they should be adhered to. Viewing every action of Government scepticism and with the belief that it must be invalid unless proved otherwise, goes against the democratic form of government. Relevant portion of para 155 of the TMA Pai Foundation (supra) is reproduced as under:

155. It will be wrong to presume that the Government or the legislature will act against the Constitution or contrary to the public or national interest at all times. Viewing every action of the Government with scepticism, and with the belief that it must be invalid unless proved otherwise, goes against the democratic form of government. It is no doubt true that the Court has the power and the function to see that no one including the Government acts contrary to the law, but the cardinal principle of our jurisprudence is that it is for the person who alleges that the law has been violated to prove it to be so. In such an event, the action of the Government or the authority may have to be carefully examined, but it is improper to proceed on the assumption that, merely because an allegation is made, the action impugned or taken must be bad in law. Such being the position, when the Government frames rules and regulations or lays down norms, especially with regard to education, one must assume that unless shown otherwise, the action taken is in accordance with law.

77. While concluding the judgment and questions framed in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), the then Chief Justice, Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. N. Kirpal, had observed that though every citizen has a right to establish and administer educational institutions under Articles 19(1)(g) and 26 but it is subject to the provisions of Articles 19 (6) and 26 (a). However, minority institutions will have a right to admit students belonging to the minority group, in the manner as discussed in this judgment.

78. Out of 11 questions the answers given to question No. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are relevant to adjudicate the present dispute. For convenience, the same as given in para 161 of the judgment, is reproduced as under.

Q.8. Whether the ratio laid down by this Court in St. Stephen's case (St. Stephen's College v. University of Delhi ) is correct? If no, what order?

A. The Basic ratio laid down by this Court in St. Stephen's College case, is correct, as indicated in this judgment. However, rigid percentage cannot be stipulated. It has to be left to authorities to prescribe a reasonable percentage having regard to the type of institution, population and educational needs of minorities.

Q.9. Whether the decision of this Court in Unni Krishnan, J.P v. State of A.P. , (except where it holds that primary education is a fundamental right) and the scheme framed thereunder require reconsideration/modification and if yes, what?

A. The scheme framed by this Court in Unni Krishnan case and the direction to impose the same, except where it holds that primary education is a fundamental right, is unconstitutional. However, the principle that there should not be capitation fee or profiteering is correct. Reasonable surplus to meet cost of expansion and augmentation of facilities does not, however, amount to profiteering.

Q.10. Whether the non-minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institution under Articles 21 and 29 (1) read with Articles 14 and 15 (1), in the same manner and to the same extent as minority institutions?

and Q.11. What is the meaning of the expressions "education" and "educational institutions" in various provisions of the Constitution? Is the right to establish and administer educational institutions guaranteed under the Constitution?

A. The expression "education" in the articles of the Constitution means and includes education at all levels from the primary school level up to the postgraduate level. It includes professional education. The expression "educational institutions" means institutions that impart education, where "education" is as understood hereinabove.

The right to establish and administer educational institutions is guaranteed under the Constitution to all citizens under Articles 19(1)(g) and 26, and to minorities specifically under Article 30.

All citizens have a right to establish and administer educational institutions under Articles 19(1)(g) and 26, but this right is subject to the provisions of Articles 19 (6) and 26 (a). However, minority institutions will have a right to admit students belonging to the minority group, in the manner as discussed in this judgment.

79. Hon'ble Mr. Justice V.N. Khare (later on, Hon'ble Chief Justice of India) while expressing his opinion, had concurred the judgment of the then Chief Justice Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. N. Kirpal, and expressed His Lordship's views over the questions separately. The then Hon'ble Mr. Justice Syed Mohammed Quadri had partly dissented with the judgment of the then Hon'ble Chief Justice Mr. B. N. Kirpal. The then Hon'ble Mrs. Justice Ruma Pal also partly dissented with the judgment of the then Hon'ble Chief Justice Mr. B. N. Kirpal. The then Hon'ble Mr. Justice S. N. Variava (for himself and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashok Bhan) had expressed their dissenting opinion to the views expressed by the then Hon'ble Mr. Justice Syed Shah Mohammed Quadri. However, Hon'ble Chief Justice Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. N. Kirpal had delivered the judgment not only for himself but also on behalf of Hon'ble Mr. Justice G. B. Pattnaik, Hon'ble Mr. Justice S. Rajendra Babu, Hon'ble Mr. Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan (present Chief Justice), and Hon'ble Mr. Justice P. Venkatarama Reddi as well as Hon'ble Mr. Justice A. Pasayat.

80. Accordingly, the view expressed by the then Hon'ble Chief Justice Hon'ble Mr. Justice B. N. Kirpal being the majority opinion, has got the binding force.

81. Though observations made in the judgment are part and partial of the judgment co-relate with the ratio decided but the answers given to questions in para-161 of the TMA Pai Foundation (supra), seems to be final conclusion over the controversy involved and has got binding force under Article 141 of the Constitution being the majority opinion.

Islamiq Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka

82. The TMA Pai Foundation (supra), could not satisfy the litigative mind of the private managements of the education institutions. The management of unaided professional educational institutions which includes the minority and non-minority, again approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court through Islamiq Academy of Education v. State of Karnataka (supra). While reconsidering the controversy in Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), Hon'ble the Supreme Court consisting of five Hon'ble Judges held that the answers given in TMA Pai Foundation (supra), are merely a brief summation of the ratio laid down in the judgment. The ratio decidendi of a judgment has to be found out only on reading the entire judgment. In fact, the ratio of the judgment is what is set out in the judgment itself. The answer to the question would necessarily have to be read in the context of what is set out in the judgment and not in isolation.

83. The question No. 3 framed by the Court which is relevant for the present controversy deals with the admission procedure. While interpreting the para 68 of the TMA Pai Foundation (supra), in Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), Hon'ble Supreme Court observed as under:

12. Paragraph 68 of the majority judgment in Pai case (T.M.A. Pai Foundation v. State of Karnataka ) can be split into seven parts:

Firstly, it deals with the unaided minority or non-minority professional colleges.

Secondly, it will be unfair to apply the rules and regulations framed by the State Government as regards the government-aided professional colleges to the unaided professional colleges.

Thirdly, the unaided professional institutions are entitled to autonomy in their administration; while at the same time they should not forego or discard the principles of merit.

Fourthly, it is permissible for the University or the Government at the time of granting recognition to require an unaided institution to provide for merit-based admission while at the same time giving the management sufficient discretion in admitting students.

Fifthly, for unaided non-minority professional colleges certain percentage of seats can be reserved for admission by the management out of those students who have passed the common test held by itself or by the State/University and for applying to the college/University for admission, while the rest of the seats may be filled up on the basis of counselling by the State agency.

Sixthly, the provisions for poorer and backward sections of the society in unaided professional colleges are also to be provided for.

Seventhly, the prescription for percentage of seats in unaided professional colleges has to be done by the Government according to the local needs. A different percentage of seats for admission can be fixed for minority unaided and non-minority unaided professional colleges.

84. Hon'ble Supreme Court in Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), again in para 16 proceeded to observe that common entrance test should be held by an association of all colleges. For convenience, relevant portion is reproduced as under:

16. ...We thus, hold that the management could select students, of their quota, either on the basis of the common entrance test conducted by the State or on the basis of a common entrance test to be conducted by an association of all colleges of a particular type in that State e.g. medical, engineering or technical etc. The common entrance test, held by the association, must be for admission to all colleges of that type in the State. The option of choosing, between either of these tests, must be exercised before issuing of prospectus and after intimation to the concerned authority and the Committee set up hereinafter. If any professional colleges chooses not to admit from the common entrance test conducted by the association then that college must necessarily admit from the common entrance test conducted by the State.

85. In para 18 of the Islamiq Academy of Education (supra) of the judgment, their lordships at Apex Court further held that the right of University or the State Government to provide for merit-based selection, is not only confined to granting recognition, affiliation. Such right will continue even after grant of such recognition or affiliation. For convenience, para 18 of the Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), is reproduced as under:

18. Lastly, it must be mentioned that it was urged by the learned Counsel for the appellant that paragraph 68 of the majority judgment only permits the University/State to provide for merit-based selection at the time of granting recognition/affiliation. It was also submitted that once recognition/affiliation is granted to unaided professional colleges, such a stipulation cannot be provided subsequently. We are unable to accept this submission. Such a provision can be made at the time of granting recognition/affiliation as well as subsequently after the grant of such recognition/affiliation.

86. Subject to observations made hereinabove, Hon'ble Supreme Court had directed the State Government to appointment a permanent committee which shall ensure that the test conducted by the association of colleges is fair and transparent. The committee shall be headed by the retired judge of High Court which shall be nominated by the Chief Justice of the State. The detail guidelines have been provided by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), in para 19 of the judgment. The sum and substance is that the ample power has been given to the committee constituted by the Chief Justice of the High Court of the State to secure the public interest by supervising entrance test conducted by the association of the private management in just, fair and transparent manner and also grant exemption to certain committees to conduct their own examination in certain cases. The committee has been empowered to adjudicate the controversy relating to management quota arid the State quota. Those institutions have been exempted from common entrance test which have been following their own procedure for last at least 25 years. However, in para 20 of the judgment, their lordships of Apex Court further confined the life of permanent committee till appropriate law is legislated by the Parliament. For convenience, para 20 of the judgment of the Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), is reproduced as under:

20. Our direction for setting up two sets of Committees in the States has been passed under Article 142 of the Constitution of India which shall remain in force till appropriate legislation is enacted by Parliament. The expenses incurred on the setting up of such Committees shall be borne by each State. The infrastructural needs and provision for allowance and remuneration of the Chairman and other members of the Committee shall also be borne by the respective State Government.

P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (2005) 6 Supreme Court Cases 537

87. It appears that being not satisfied with the observations made by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Islamiq Academy of Education (supra), again the private managements of the institutions approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court and in conclusion thereof, a larger Bench consisting of 7 Hon'ble Judges, was constituted to interpret the judgment of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra). The case of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), does not lay down any new law but it only interprets the earlier judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra).

88. In the case of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), while considering the right of the Government to impose reasonable restrictions in pursuance of power conferred by Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India coupled with minorities power under Article 29 (2) and 30 (1) of the Constitution, Supreme Court held that though institutions whether minority or non-minority, have got right to run educational institution, for charity or for profit, being an occupation, is protected by Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution but that can be controlled or regulated by the State Government in pursuance of law enacted under Clause (6) of Article 19 of the Constitution of India. The finding so recorded in the P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), is based on reply given to the question No. 10 and 11 in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra). Relevant portion of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), is reproduced as under:

91. The right to establish an educational institution, for charity or for profit, being an occupation, is protected by Article 19(1)(g). Notwithstanding the fact that the right of a minority to establish and administer an educational institution would be protected by Article 19(1)(g) yet the founding fathers of the Constitution felt the need of enacting Article 30.

89. In the case of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), while upholding the right of the Government (Central and State) in pursuance of the powers conferred under Article 19 (6) to impose reasonable restriction in public interest, their lordships of Apex Court proceeded to observe as under:

107. ...While embarking upon resolving issues of constitutional significance, where the letter of the Constitution is not clear, we have to keep in view the spirit of the Constitution, as spelt out by its entire scheme. Education aimed at imparting professional or technical qualifications stands on a different footing from other educational instruction. Apart from other provisions, Article 19(6) is a clear indicator and so are Clauses (h) and (j) of Article 51-A.

90. While interpreting para 67 of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), in the case of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), Hon'ble Supreme Court held as under:

110. In Islamic Academy the majority has (vide para 12) paraphrased the contents of para 68 by dividing it into seven parts. S.B. Sinha, J. has read the same para 68 by paraphrasing it in five parts (vide para 172 of his opinion). However, we have reproduced para 68 by dividing it into two parts. A reading of the majority judgment in Pai Foundation in its entirety supports the conclusion that while the first part of para 68 is law laid down by the majority, the second part is only by way of illustration, tantamounting to just a suggestion or observation, as to how the State may devise a possible mechanism so as to take care of the poor and backward sections of the society. The second part of para 68 cannot be read as law laid down by the Bench. It is only an observation in passing or an illustrative situation which may be reached by consent ,or agreement or persuasion.

91. Though in para 125 of P.A. Inamdar v. State of Maharashtra (supra), Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that in TMA Pai Foundation (supra), it was not held by the Apex Court to allow the State to regulate or control admission in unaided professional educational institution as to as compel them to give a share of the available seats to the candidates chosen by the State as it would amount to nationalisation of seats. However, their lordship of Apex Court in TMA Pai Foundation (supra), has not held that in pursuance of power conferred by NCTE Act or the Regulations framed thereunder, the State Government or the Universities cannot hold entrance test or regulate the admission process to check exploitation or abuse of power by the private unaided institution meaning. Thus, the State or the Universities in case are being permitted under the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act, to hold admission then by complying the directions issued by the NCTE from time to time, such test can be held.

92. The power of State to interfere with the admission process and related matter, has been affirmed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.A. Inamdar(supra), in para 134. It has also been upheld that education cannot be imparted by any institution unless recognised or affiliated with any competent authority created by laws such as, universities, board, Central and the State Government and for maintenance of excellence in education, State must in national interest, step in. Para 134 (supra) for convenience is reproduced as under:

134. However, different considerations would apply for graduate and postgraduate level of education, as also for technical and professional educational institutions. Such education cannot be imparted by any institution unless recognised by or affiliated with any competent authority created by law, such as a university, Board, Central or State Government or the like. Excellence in education and maintenance of high standards at this level are a must. To fulfil these objectives, the State can and rather must, in national interest, step in. The education, knowledge and learning at this level possessed by individuals collectively constitutes national wealth.

93. Right of the Central vis-a-vis the State Governments, has further been upheld by Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.A. Inamdar (supra), in the concluding part of the judgment in para 155. For convenience, para 155 is reproduced as under:

155. It is for the Central Government, or for the State Governments, in the absence of a Central legislation, to come out with a detailed well-thought-out legislation on the subject. Such a legislation is long awaited. The States must act towards this direction. The judicial wing of the State is called upon to act when the other two wings, the legislature and the executive, do not act. The earlier the Union of India and the State Governments act, the better it would be. The Committees regulating admission procedure and fee structure shall continue to exist, but only as a temporary measure and an inevitable passing phase until the Central Government or the State Governments are able to devise a suitable mechanism and appoint a competent authority in consonance with the observations made hereinabove. Needless to say, any decision taken by such Committees and by the Central or the State Governments, shall be open to judicial review in accordance with the settled parameters for the exercise of such jurisdiction.

94. Relying upon TMA Pai Foundation (supra), it was emphatically argued by the learned Counsels that in absence of common entrance test, the individual institutions have got right to admit students on the basis of marks obtained in qualifying examination. The arguments advanced by the learned Counsel for the petitioner in case is accepted, then it shall amount to re-examine or re-interpret the findings recorded by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in TMA Pai Foundation (supra). It is settled proposition of law that once a larger Bench Judgment of Hon'ble Supreme Court is considered and interpreted by another Bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court in subsequent judgments like in the present case in P.A. Inamdar (supra), then subsequent judgment will have got binding effect. It shall neither be appropriate nor lawful for the High Court to take a different view than what has been taken by the Apex Court in the case of P.A. Inamdar (supra), while interpreting TMA Pai Foundation (supra) and Islamic Academy (supra). Even if something has not been considered or has been interpreted in different manner, then what has been held by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of TMA Pai Foundation (supra), it is not permissible under law to this Court to take different view than what has been taken by Hon'ble Supreme Court in P.A. Inamdar (supra).

Validity of Reference;

95. House of Lords in England may overrule its own decision. Similarly, it has been consistent view of Indian Supreme Court that ordinarily, it follows its earlier judgments but in special circumstances, it may overrule its own earlier decision to meet out the constitutional requirement. It is a rule of policy and not of law which compel the courts to follow its own decision. Neither the Judicial Committee of Privy Council nor the Supreme Court of United States nor the Supreme Court of Canada nor the High Court of Australia nor the Supreme Court of India is bound by its own previous decision. It may depart from it. The departure is done by a Bench of a larger number of Judges. It is the practice of this Court that when there is a conflict among two decisions of Benches or a Bench does not agree with the decision of another Bench it refers the case to a Bench of a larger number of Judges. This is what, which is reflected from the Rules of High Court (supra).

96. A Bench of five Judges of this Court presided by the then Chief Justice Hon'ble Mr. Justice M. C. Desai in a case reported in AIR 1966 Allahabad 73 (V 53 C 18) Full Bench; State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors. v. Firm Deo Putt Lakhan Lal while considering the law on the subject, observed that a larger bench means a Bench consisting of more Judges than the Bench giving earlier decision. A Bench of two Judges is known as Division Bench and a Bench of three or more Judges as Full Bench. There is no law or Rule or even a convention that a Full Bench can consist of only three Judges. It can consist of three or any larger number of Judges. The principles of stare decisis is "a principle of policy and not a mechanical formula of adherence to the latest decision." While referring an article, "Mr. Justice Jackson" published in 68 Harward Law Review p.937 with reference to what was said by Felix Frankfurter, their Lordships observed to quote:

There must be certainty about the law but the certainty would be a false one if it leads to the conclusion that an error once having been made in a judgment must be followed in all subsequent cases.

97. It was held by the Full Bench of five Judges of this Court in the case of Firm Deo Dutt (supra) that once Chief Justice of the High Court refers a controversy to a larger Bench may be in pursuance of the order passed on judicial side by a Single Judge or Division Bench, then such order or reference is not open for judicial review while considering the reference by the Bench concerned. To reproduce from Firm Deo Dutt (supra) in the words of Chief Justice Desai:

The Chief Justice passed the order on a judicial order passed by a Bench that to resolve the conflict between the two Full Bench decisions they may be referred to a larger Bench, e.g., a Bench of at least five Judges. It is not open to any member of this Bench to question that order of the Division Bench and I can only express surprise at the suggestion made by counsel that he can do so and that this Bench can hold that the order passed by the Chief Justice referring the special appeals to a Bench of five Judges was not proper or legal.

98. Hon'ble Supreme Court in a case relied upon by the learned Counsel ; Lala Shri Bhagwan and Anr. v. Ram Chand and Anr. had upheld the power of Hon'ble Chief Justice to constitute larger Bench on the reference made by the Single Judge in the following words:

It is hardly necessary to emphasise that considerations of judicial propriety and decorum require that if a learned single Judge hearing a matter is inclined to take the view that the earlier decisions of the High Court, whether of a Division Bench or of a single Judge, need to be re-considered, he should not embark upon that enquiry sitting as a single Judge, but should refer the matter to a Division Bench or, in a proper case, place the relevant papers before the Chief Justice to enable him to constitute a larger Bench to examine the question. That is the proper and traditional way to deal with such matters and it is founded on healthy principles of judicial decorum and propriety.

99. The word 'stare decisis' i.e., the connotation of binding judicial precedent, fixing parameter, if any, for making reference to a larger Bench are all the devices evolved by the Courts for maintaining its own judicial discipline, decorum and propriety and to maintain its judicial comity. It is neither to be found in any statute nor in the Constitution. Self devised restrictions, controlling ones dispositions, insulating its possible outflow effecting others, are all stroll towards divinity, which is hall mark of a civilised society. It is this divine inheritance which has devolved on judiciary, gives it the splendour and strength. Such, including the principle of 'stare decisis' etc. are all natural concomitant of its inbuilt discipline. This gives stability and uniformity in the administrative law both to the subject and Courts. This keeps Courts within its bound and in spite of different opinion, they follow this procedure with respect. Otherwise any settled law could be unsettled any day.

100. A Full Bench of this Court in a case ; Natraj Chhabigrih, Sigra v. State of U.P. and Anr. had proceeded to hold as under:

16. ...No one is infallible. So also we rendering judgments. That is why, while maintaining the rigour of binding judicial precedent, if such judgment is perpetuating, continuing injustice, the error of which is apparent on the face of record or against any binding judicial precedent, against any constitutional or statutory provisions, contrary to any settled principle of law or even with the change of social fabric requires reconsideration being of public importance, to set back on the track another equally important principle is evolved by referring such matters to a larger Bench. Both principles of 'stare decisis' and 'reference' are not contrary but complementary to each, evolving and developing the law with an eye solely to render justice. All methodoligies, principles, procedures are coined by Judges in and to and are subservient to deliver justice to the subject. They are nor to be interpreted which restricts this reach.

101. Thereafter, again their lordships had proceeded to hold that in an appropriate case to meet out the public requirement. Judges may refer a controversy to a larger Bench and doctrine of stare decisis shall not deter the court from overruling its earlier decisions. To quote from Natraj Chhabigrih (supra):

29. But there may be circumstances where public interest demands that the previous decision be reviewed and reconsidered. The doctrine of stare decisis should not deter the Court from overruling an earlier decision, if it is satisfied that such decision is manifestly wrong or proceeds upon a mistaken assumption in regard to the existence or continuance of a statutory provision or is contrary to another decision of the Court.

Their lordships held that while considering the question for reference a straight jacket formula cannot be framed. To quote from Natraj Chhabigrih (supra):

43. The law of reference to a larger bench, apart from it being based on long practice in India is also enshrined in Rules of the Court as in present under Chapter V Rules 6 of the High Court Rules, framed under Article 225 of the Constitution of India. But they are all, as aforesaid, procedure to deliver justice. Thus, the parameter, viz. power to reference has not to be scrutinised in a very closed jacket formula.

102. After considering various Apex court judgments upto date in the case of Natraj Chhabigrih (supra), the Full Bench while delivering the unanimous judgment, upheld the jurisdiction of Judges of this Court to make a reference to a larger Bench in an appropriate case.

103. The power of Hon'ble Single Judge or Division Bench to refer a dispute or question of law framed by Hon'ble Single Judge, has been upheld by other full Benches of this Court in the case reported in [2006 (62) ALR 65]; Ram Kumar and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. : Maharaja Dharmendra Prasad Singh and Anr. v. State of U.P. and Ors. In the case of Maharaja Dharmendra Prasad Singh (supra) while interpreting the proviso of Rule 2 of Chapter V of the Rules of the Court, the power of Chief Justice or a Judge hearing a case to refer a larger Bench, has been upheld while deciding the identical controversy in tax matter. The relevant portion of the Maharaja Dharmendra Prasad Singh (supra) is reproduced as under:

12. The Letters Patent and after its repeal the rules of the Court provide for the manner in which the hearing of the cases is to be regulated. The proviso to Rule 2 Chapter V of the Rules of the Court reads:

(a) provided that the Chief Justice may direct any case or class of cases which maybe heard by a Judge sitting alone shall be heard by a Bench of two or more Judges and vice versa.

(b) A Judge may, if he thinks fit, refer a case which may be heard by a Judge sitting alone or any question of law arising therein for decision to a larger Bench.

The proviso applies to all the cases heard in the High Court-There is no doubt that the Chief Justice or a Judge hearing a case has the power to make a reference to a larger Bench and there is no reason for holding that this power can be exercised in respect of other cases but not in a reference under Section 5 of the Act.

104. Otherwise also, a plain reading of Rules of the Court referred to hereinabove, indicates that while sitting singly, the Judges of this Court have got ample power to refer a case to a larger Bench either by framing questions of law or the entire case. Whenever the entire case is referred, the appropriate reasons should be assigned by the Hon'ble Judges while making so reference. Whenever a question of law is framed by Hon'ble Single Judge, after recording his satisfaction on the basis of material on record, then no grievance may be raised by the parties counsel to raise objection against the reference so made in pursuance of the powers conferred by the Rules of the Court.

105. Even literal interpretation of the Rules of the Court amply clears that Judges sitting singly for adjudication of a controversy may frame questions of law with a request to Hon'ble Chief Justice to constitute a larger Bench for the purpose.

106. The using of word, 'or' used in Sub clause (b) of Clause (9) of Rule 2 of the Rules of the Court is in disjunction. It deals with two situations: the first is reference of the entire case to a larger bench in case Hon'ble Judge deems fit and proper. The second situation may crop up whenever during the course of hearing Hon'ble Judge sitting singly, faces situation where substantial question of law arises and requires for reply by a larger Bench keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the particular case. The satisfaction recorded by the Hon'ble Single Judge, shall be sufficient for reference to the larger Bench. However, while considering the question so referred, the larger Bench may record its opinion relating to necessity of adjudication by it.

107. Hon'ble Supreme Court in a case Pradip Chandra Parija and Ors. v. Pramod Chandra Patnaik and Ors. while holding the right of Judges to refer a matter to a larger Bench observed as under:

5. ...The learned Attorney-General submitted that the appropriate course for the Bench of two learned Judges to have adopted, if it felt so strongly that the judgment in Nityananda Kar was incorrect, was to make a reference to a Bench of three learned Judges. That Bench of three learned Judges, if it also took the same view of Nityananda Kar, could have referred the case to a Bench of five learned Judges.

8. We have quoted the relevant portion of the referral order in the present case. By a judicial order the matters before the Bench of two learned Judges were ordered to be placed before a Bench of five learned Judges. The Chief Justice, as master of the cause-lists, was required only to issue consequential administrative directions.

108. In view of the above, once on judicial side, a reference is made by the Hon'ble Single Judge or the division Bench or even the larger Bench of this Court in pursuance of the powers conferred under Rules of the Court, then ordinarily, Hon'ble the Chief Justice being the master of cause list, may issue consequential administrative directions and once such direction is issued for constitution of larger Bench, then it cannot be subjected to judicial review by litigants.

109. One of the objections raised by Sri Prashant Chandra learned Senior Counsel was that since the Hon'ble Chief Justice, and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Anjani Kumar were the members of the Division Bench which referred the controversy to call the Hon'ble Chief Justice to constitute a Full Bench, the Hon'ble Chief Justice and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Anjani Kumar should not be a member of the present Bench, seems to be misconceived. A perusal of the order dated 12.9.2007 indicates that their lordships were impressed by the arguments advanced by the parties counsel and in consequence thereof, a decision was taken to refer the controversy to Hon'ble the Chief Justice on administrative side for constitution of Full Bench without expressing any opinion on merit. While referring the controversy on judicial side by the Bench vide its order dated 12.9.2007, no opinion was formed on merit in favour of either side. In such situation, it is not improper to be the member of Full Bench with inclusion of Hon'ble judges who referred the disputes. A for constitution of Full Bench. There appears to be no violation of any judicial propriety, ethics or decorum. Nothing has been brought on record nor any case law has been cited which may substantiate the arguments advanced by the learned Counsels. Accordingly, the objections raised by the learned Counsel Sri Prashant Chandra and Sri Manish Kumar, do not seem to be sustainable.

110. Learned Counsel has relied upon the cases challenging the validity of reference namely Jindal Vijaynagar Steel (SW Steel Ltd.) v. Jindal Praxair Oxygen Co. Ltd. Kerala State Science & Technology Museum v. Rambal Co. and Ors. Central Board of Dawoodi Bohra Community and Anr. v. State of Maharashtra and Anr. Rajasthan Public Service Commission and Anr. v. Harish Kumar Purohit and Ors. (2002) 10 SCC 710: Dr. Chandra Prakash and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Anr. Vishweshwaraiah Iron and Steel Ltd. v. Abdul Gani and Ors. (2004) (2008) SCC 30: Arya 'Samaj Education Trust and Ors. v. Director of Education, Delhi and Ors. 2005 (3) UPLBEC 2487: Ram Kumar and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. 2005 (23) LCI) 232: Provincial Medical Sciences Association U.P. and Ors. v. State of U.P. and Ors. : Sher Singh and Ors. v. State of Punjab; General Manager. Telecom v. A. Sriniwas Rao and Ors. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited v. Mumbai Shramik Sangh and Ors. : Supreme Court Bar Association v. Union of India and Anr. S.H. Rangappa v. State of Karnataka and Ors. P. Ram Chandra Rao v. State of Karnataka.

These cases relate to principle of stare decisis where Hon'ble Supreme Court held that judgments rendered by larger Bench or Bench by coordinate jurisdiction, shall be binding over all benches consisting of lesser number of judges or coordinate Bench. Their lordships have held that Bench of lesser strength cannot take a view contrary to or bypass that taken by larger or coordinate Bench. Their lordships further held that judicial discipline required that the judgment rendered by larger Bench should be followed in preference to subsequent decision of smaller Bench. It is necessary to maintain judicial discipline and decorum for consistency in law. However, it has not been held by Hon'ble Supreme Court in these cases that judges are precluded to exercise powers under the Rules of the Court for referring a controversy to a larger Bench or full Bench in the event of being satisfied relating to the involvement of substantial question of law of public importance. In the presence case, a perusal of Division Bench judgment of this Court at Lucknow decided on 23.5.2007 passed in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 at the face of record shows that while allowing the special appeal the Division Bench has neither considered the provisions contained in NCTE Act and Regulations framed thereunder nor the power contained in the State Universities Act. It is unfortunate that the learned Counsel for the parties including the State counsel, had not drawn the attention of the Division Bench towards various judgments of Hon'ble Supreme Court referred in the preceding paras where the binding effect of NCTE Act and the Regulations have been considered.

111. So far as the submission of the learned Counsel for the petitioners that while referring the matter to Full Bench no reasons have been assigned by the Division Bench in its order dated 12.9.2007, also does not seem to be sustainable. After hearing the learned Counsel for the parties and considering the reference made by the Hon'ble Single Judge, the Division Bench has referred the matter to Hon'ble the Chief Justice vide order dated 12.9.2007 for constitution of Full Bench. The satisfaction recorded by the Hon'ble Single Judge while referring the matter to larger Bench was impliedly considered and concerned by the Division Bench and hence, it was not necessary to pass a detailed reasoned order.

112. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the present case, it was not necessary for the Division Bench to pass a detailed reasoned order. Under the Rules of the Court on judicial side, Judges have got powers to refer the entire dispute to a Larger Bench for adjudication in accordance with law. Since the reference made by the Hon'ble Single Judge is based on reasoned order keeping in view its public importance the Division Bench has rightly referred the matter for consideration by the Full Bench and fore that it was not necessary to pass a detailed and reasoned order. The order is based on the basis of the arguments advanced by the learned Counsel for the parties.

Discussion on merit:

113. It was vehemently argued by the learned senior counsels for the petitioners that under the Regulations 3.1(a) the Committee of Management are empowered to admit the students on their own in absence of any combined entrance test.

114. In view of the discussions made hereinabove, since the Regulations framed by the NCTE have been held binding and it has also been held by the Hon'ble Supreme Court that the NCTE Act has got right to delegate certain powers to State Government and its instrumentalities through its Regulations, the powers exercised by the State Government in consequence of the Regulations framed by the NCTE Act do not seem to suffer from any illegality or impropriety. It is also evident that the State Government from time to time, amended its Government orders, own Regulations framed under Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the State Universities Act making it 'at par' with the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act. The provisions contained in the Regulations framed by the State Government in pursuance of powers conferred by Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the State Universities Act, is in addition to the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act without any conflict or repugnancy. Hence it cannot be said that the State has acted in contravention of Central Act like NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder. Moreover, once NCTE Regulations itself provide that admission shall be done as per the policy of the State Government, the State Government cannot be held to have acted illegally while proceeding ahead to admit students through its universities.

115. It shall be relevant to recall that in all the three judgments of the Apex Court including P.A. Inamdar (supra), the provisions contained in NCTE Act and the Regulations have not been considered. Hence the judgments of the Apex Court which directly deal with the provisions of the NCTE Act and the Regulations, shall cover the field.

116. It is settled proposition of law that a thing should be done in a manner provided under the Act and the Statutes and not otherwise vide, Nazir Ahmed v. King Emperor ; Deep Chand v. State of Rajasthan Patna Improvement Trust v. Smt. Lakshmi Devi and Ors. ; State of U.P. v. Singhara Singh and Ors. Barium Chemicals Ltd. v. Company Law Board Chandra Kishore Jha v. Mahavir Prasad and Ors. Delhi Administration v. Gurdip Singh Uban and Ors. Dhanajay Reddy v. State of Karnataka AIR 2001 SC 1512: Commissioner of Income Tax Mumbai v. Anjum M. H. Ghaswala and Ors. ; Prabha Shankar Dubey v. State of M.P. AIR 2004 SC 486: and. Ramphal Kundu v. Kamal Sharma .

In the present case, in the absence of common entrance test by the Association of non-aided private educational Institutions, the other related statutory provisions should have been followed and were rightly followed by the State Government. In the absence of any specific statutory provisions or statutory order, the Association of the private management non-aided colleges were not entitled to admit the students on their own. Being affiliated colleges, it was incumbent on them to follow the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act coupled with the statutory provisions empowering the State Government and the Universities to deal with the subject. No provision has been brought to the notice of this Court which empowers specifically the private management of added institutions to admit students on their own.

117. It is also settled proposition of law that no mandamus under writ jurisdiction can be issued in derogation of Rules and Regulations. The Rules and Regulations and statutory provisions should be enforced in strict sense, vide case laws on the point namely , Secretary State of Karnataka v. Umadevi , National Fertilizer Limited v. Somvir Singh , State of U.P. v. Neeraj Kumar , A. Umarani v. Registrar Coop. Societies , State of Haryana v. Piara Singh , Union of India v. Mahendra Singh Ashwani Kumar v. State of Bihar , Delhi Development Horticulture Employees Union v. Delhi Admn. , Director Institute of Management Development v. Pushpa Srivastava . Ramkrishna Kamat v. State of Karnataka and . Hindustan Shipyard ltd. v. Dr. P. Sambasiva Rao.

118. Sri C.B. Pandey learned Counsel who appeared for some of the Committee of Management, has rightly submitted that the case law cited on the point, directly dealing with a controversy and final decision taken relating to an issue, shall be binding unless and until set aside by a Court of competent jurisdiction. The learned Counsel has rightly relied on the Apex Court judgments in the cases namely, State of Kerala v. M.K. Kunhikannan Nambiar 2006 (65) ALR 621: M. Meenakshi and Ors. v. Metadeen Agrawal and Ors. and 2007 (67) ALR 58: Srichand Jain v. State of U.P. through Collector, Saharanpur.

119. In the case of M. Meenakshi (supra), their lordships held that even a void order is required to be set aside by a Competent Court of law. The order may be void in respect of one person but may be valid in respect of another. Hence, it shall always be necessary that party aggrieved with such order, shall be required to approach appropriate forum setting aside such order Meaning thereby, the regulatory powers delegated through NCTE Act and the Rules framed by the State Government at par, in pursuance of powers conferred by Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the State Universities Act, shall cover the field unless they are set aside by the Court of competent jurisdiction.

120. It is rightly submitted by Sri D.K. Arora, the learned Additional Advocate General as well as Sri P. S. Baghel that there shall not be implied repeal of Regulations framed under the NCTE Act or notification issued under subsection (5) of Section 28 of the U.P. State Universities Act. The law laid down by the Apex Court in the case of P.A. Inamdar (supra), shall not ipse dixit repeal the statutory provisions. In case, there is any repugnancy, ambiguity or violation of fundamental rights, then aggrieved party may impugn such alleged offending provisions under Article 226 or 32 of the Constitution.

121. The decision taken, Rules and Regulations framed in pursuance of the statutory provisions shall occupy the field unless they are declared ultra vires to Constitution or some statutory provisions. Apart from NCTE Act or the U.P. State Universities Act, the University Grants Commission Act 1956 and the University Grant Commission (Regularisation of Admission and Fees in Private Non-aided Profession Institutions) Regulations, 1997 also empowers the appropriate authority to deal with the subjects. Neither the Courts nor the Parliament may exclude or oust the jurisdiction of the State Legislature to discharge the constitutional obligation in terms of the constitutional provisions. The law promulgated by the State may occupy the field subject to test of repugnancy with the Central Acts. However, in the event of conflict, the Central Act shall prevail, vide Meghraj v. Allah Rakhia AIR 1942. FC. 27; Zaver Bhai v. State of Bombay ; Teekaramii v. State of U.P. 1956, SCR page 393; Om Prakash Gupta v. State of U.P. 1957 SCR page 423; Deepchand v. Union of India 1959 Supp. 2 SCR page 8; T.S. Balliah v. T.S. Rangachari ; M. Karunanidhi v. Union of India : Ishwari Khetan Sugar Mills v. State of U.P. ; Synthetic & Chemical Ltd. v. State of U.P. ; ITC Ltd. v. Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee Prem Chandra Jain v. R.K. Chhabra ; Hoechst Pharmaceuticals v. State of Bihar and Vijav Kumar Sharma v. State of Karnataka .

122. From the facts and material placed on record, it is evident that the Division Bench while deciding the Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 and connected petitions, vide judgment and order dated 23.5.2007 had not considered the NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder. The notification dated 27.5.2005 and 1.9.2005 issued by the State Government in pursuance of Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the State Universities Act, has not considered. The order issued by the State Government was neither impugned before the Division Bench or Hon'ble Single Judge.

123. There is one another aspect of the matter. The orders dated 14.9.2005 and 31.10.2005 which were impugned before the Hon'ble Single Judge in W.P. No. 290 (M/S) of 2007 and set aside by the judgment and order dated 22.2.2007, are not the Government orders issued in pursuance of the powers conferred by Article 162 of the Constitution of India or in pursuance of power conferred by Section 28 (5) of the U.P. State Universities Act. The orders dated 14.9.2005 and 31.10.2005 were issued in consequence of the Government Notification dated 1.9.2005 directing for the entrance test by the Universities on one date. The notification dated 1.9.2005 was issued in pursuance of powers under Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the State Universities Act keeping in view the power conferred by the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act. The Government order dated 14.9.2005 coupled with 31.10.2005 also make reference to Supreme court order where special appeals were dismissed. Thus, it is obvious that the order dated 14.9.2005 and the 31.10.2005 impugned before the Hon'ble Single Judge (supra), were consequential orders, which were set aside by the Hon'ble Single Judge, vide judgment and order dated 22.2.2007 and affirmed in Special Appeal by the Division Bench at Lucknow, vide judgment and order dated 23.5.2007. The attention of the Court was not drawn and the plea was also not raised by the State counsel that being the intra departmental communication or consequential orders, the writ petitions were not maintainable.

124. It is settled law that writ petitions filed against the consequential order shall not be maintainable vide, Government of Maharashtra v. Deokar's Distillary (Para-78) and (2004) 3 ESC 1629; Ashok Pratap Singh v. State of U.P. and Ors.

125. In view of the above, since the controversy adjudicated by the Hon'ble Single Judge, vide order dated 22.2.2007 as well as by the Division Bench vide judgment and order dated 23.5.2007 (supra) in Special Appeal No. 263 of 2007 relates to intra departmental communication or consequential orders, it does not lay down the correct law over the controversy in question.

126. Since the Division Bench has not considered the NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder, they are per inquirum to statutory provisions. Per inqurium means a decision given in ignorance or forgetfulness inconsistent to statutory provisions or some authority binding on the Court, vide State v. Ratan Lal Arora: Bhargavan Pillai v. State of Kerala , Mayuram Subramanian Srinivasan v. CBI: . The Apex Court held that the judgment rendered without reference to bars or view expressed by superior court or without analysing the statutory provisions, cannot be treated as binding precedent.

127. As discussed hereinabove, the power conferred to the Central and the State Governments to impose reasonable restrictions keeping in view the Clause (6) of Article 19 of the Constitution of India, shall not extinguish. The State and the Central Governments shall have powers to legislate the Law, frame appropriate Rules and Regulations within their jurisdiction keeping in view the Entry 25 of List II of Schedule VIII and the Entry 66 of List I of Schedule VII of the Constitution. Of course, the State Government cannot go contrary to the provisions contained in NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder. However, neither any argument has been advanced by the learned Counsel for the private parties nor the attention has been drawn towards any fact that the State Government has acted in contravention of provisions of the NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder.

128. While interpreting the P.A. Inamdar and other judgment and considering the arguments advanced by the learned Counsel for the private respondents, we should not close our eyes to the settled proposition of law that an issue which has not been considered by the Court while delivering a judgment, cannot be said to be a binding. The decision of the Court takes its colour from the questions involved in the case in which it is rendered and while applying it to a later case, the Court must carefully try to ascertain the true principles laid down by the decision of the Court The Court should not place a reliance upon a decision without discussing as to how the factual situation fits in with a fact situation of the decision on which reliance is placed and it has to be ascertained by analysing all material facts and issues involved in the case and argued on both sides. The judgment has to be read with reference to and in context with a particular statutory provisions interpreted by the Court as the Court has to examine as to what principle of law has been decided and the decision cannot be relied upon in support of the proposition that it did not decide vide, H.H. Maharajadhiraja Madhav Rao Jivaji Rao Scindia Bahadur and Ors. v. Union of India Amar Nath Om Parkash and Ors. v. State of Punjab and Ors. Rajpur Ruda Meha and Ors. v. State of Gurajat C.I.T. v. Sun Engineering Works (P) Ltd.; Sarv Shramik Sangh, Bombay v. Indian Hume Pipe Co. Ltd. and Anr. ; Haryana Financial Corporation and Anr. v. Jagdamba Oil Mills and Anr. ; Mehboob Dawod Shaikh v. State of Maharastra ; ICICI Bank and Anr. v. Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay and Ors. ; M/s. Makhija Construction and Enggr. Pvt. Ltd. v. Indore Development Authority and Ors. ; and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. v. Aksh Optifibre Ltd. and Anr. .

129. Keeping in view the binding nature of Regulations framed under NCTE Act as settled by Hon'ble Supreme Court in catena of judgments (supra), the State Government has rightly acted while issuing orders from time to time to regulate admissions under the delegated powers conferred by the Regulations (supra).

130. In absence of common entrance test by common association, the other statutory option shall cover the field. There cannot be vacuum in the system permitting the unaided private institutions to move in accordance with their sweet will. Such incident shall be against constitutional mandate. The only option available to admit the students is according to powers conferred by the U.P. State Universities Act subject to repugnancy test with Central Acts. The private unaided colleges shall not be entitled to admit the students in contravention to powers flowing from Regulations framed under the NCTE Act. The order passed by the State Government in pursuance of powers conferred by Sub-section (5) of Section 28 of the U.P. State Universities Act read with the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act shall have statutory force to fill up the vacuum if any, to deal with the particular circumstance, situation or contingency.

131. There is one other aspect of the matter. According to Information 'Diary, 2008', published by the Government of U.P. the literacy percentage in the State of U.P. is as under:

132. Article 37 of the Constitution of India provides that the directive principles of the State Policy under Part-IV shall be fundamental in governance of the country. Article 38 further provides that the State shall secure a social order for promotion of the welfare of the people. Article 39 (f) provides that State shall take necessary steps, provide opportunities and facilities in such a manner so that the childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment. Article 41 further commands that within the economic capacity, the State Government shall make effective provisions for securing right to work and education. Article 46 further provides that State shall protect the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and weaker sections of the society from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. Article 51-A (k) provides that it shall be the fundamental duty of the guardians or parents to provide opportunities for education to their children upto the age of 14 years. Therefore, the interpretation of constitutional provisions as well as the statutory provisions which may deprive the State to discharge its constitutional application, should be availed any may be against the public good. The State is accountable for violation of constitutional rights and not the private institutions. Accordingly, the State should not be deprived to discharge its constitutional duties directly or indirectly by interpreting the law against the constitutional mandate.

133. Since neither in the case of P.A. Inamdar (supra) nor in other case, the NCTE Act and the Regulations framed thereunder, were considered, the authorities cannot be faulted while taking decision in pursuance of powers conferred by Regulations framed under the NCTE Act. However, as informed by the State counsels from the current year, the State Government of U.P. has taken decision and issued an order for common entrance test for admission to B. Ed. Courses, it amounts sufficient compliance of the judgment of the Apex Court in P.A. Inamdar (supra).

134. The uncertainty prevailing in the year 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 for any reason whatsoever, shall not give a right to the Committee of Management of affiliated colleges to admit the students on their own. Since the Regulations framed under the NCTE Act confer powers on the State Government hence as discussed hereinabove, the State Government was correct by passing an order for admission of the students through the Universities or by entrance test conducted by the Universities to fill up the vacancies.

135. So many other judgments have been cited by either sides while defending or opposing the Division Bench Judgment of the Lucknow Bench (supra) and the questions referred. Since the controversy in question to the extent of reference has been dealt with in the manner discussed hereinabove, it is not necessary to consider other case laws which are either not relevant or do not applicable under the facts and circumstances of the present case. For the reasons discussed hereinabove, the reference is answered in the terms of judgment of Hon'ble the Chief Justice as concurred by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Anjani Kumar.