AMOGHVARSH SISODIA Vs. INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition has been filed for issuance of direction upon the respondents to allow the admission of the petitioner in M.Tech course as the petitioner has been declared successful in the entrance examination.

(2.) The factual background of the case as stated in the writ petition is that the petitioner has completed B.Tech in "Geo Science Engineering" in 2014 from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Dehradun which is a recognized University by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The petitioner applied for M.Tech (Engineering Geology) course offered by the IIT-iSm, Dhanbad and the qualification provided therein clearly stipulated that the admission would be granted to the candidates who possess the Bachelor degree in Engineering (BE)/B.Tech or equivalent degree in Civil Engineering or Master degree in Science (M.SC) in Geology/Applied Geology/Geoscience/Marine Geology from the Institute recognized by the UGC/AICTE. The petitioner having found himself eligible for admission in M.Tech course appeared in the entrance test and stood first, however, he was not permitted to deposit the admission fee to take the admission. The petitioner lodged complaint in Prime Minister's Office, Technical Education Bureau, whereupon he was informed that his petition was forwarded to the ISM, Dhanbad and he was asked to take up the matter with the Nodal Officer of the IIT-ISM. Thereafter, the petitioner contacted the competent authority of IIT-ISM, who informed that his matter has been sent to a committee constituted to consider the claim of the petitioner, however, nothing was done which gives rise to filing of the present writ petition.

(3.) The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner has obtained B.Tech Degree in "Geo Science Engineering" from University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradoon which is duly recognized by the UGC and is also competent to award B.Tech Degree duly recognized by Association of Indian Universities (AIU). It is further submitted that similarly situated candidates, who have obtained the B.Tech Degree from the UPES, have been allowed to take admission in M.Tech in IIT Bombay, however, the petitioner has been denied admission by the respondent - IIT-ISM. It is further submitted that as per the AIU, the degree granted by the UPES is equivalent to B.Tech Degree. However, refusal on the part of the respondent - IIT-ISM to recognize the said degree is wholly arbitrary, unjust and unsustainable.