SNEHIL SINGH Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, in these petitions, had taken admission on 17.8.2012 and thereafter had commenced their study of the course of Graduation-cum-D.Phil. and had thereafter completed their 10th Semester by 25.4.2017. When instead of admitting the petitioners to D.Phil. courses, they were being directed to take the Combined Research Entrance Test-2017 by which they were required to take an admission test for admission to D.Phil. course in Globalization and Development Studies, then the present writ petitions were filed praying that the petitioners be granted admission in D.Phil courses in the terms of the admission which was granted to them in the year 2012.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioners in both the writ petitions have submitted that the Academic Council of the University of Allahabad had introduced for the first time a course in the name of Globalization and Development Studies and the Council on 6.8.2011 had resolved that the Degree of Philosophy in Globalization and Development Studies could be taken through a programme of Bachelor/D.Phil. dual degree integrated programme. They have submitted that it was also resolved in the Academic Council meet on 6.8.2011 that the course would start from the Academic Session 2012-13 and would end with the grant of D.Phil. Thereafter the University of Allahabad also issued various brochures and informed the public at large that the Graduation-cum-D.Phil. programme could be pursued by students. The petitioners in both the writ petitions applied for admission and also after being admitted deposited their fee. They were admitted on 17.8.2012. From time to time the Academic Council used to assemble and decide as to in what time frame the course would be completed and as to what would be the fee structure etc.. The last resolution, with regard to the fee structure, of the Academic Council of the University of Allahabad was passed on 12.5.2015.

(3.) It is the contention of the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners that along with the Academic Council of the University, the University Grants Commission had also from time to time issued notifications with regard to the manner in which admissions to D.Phil. course had to be done by the Universities. The first resolution concerning the instant case was passed on 1.6.2009 and the same is being reproduced here as under :