Andhra Pradesh High Court - Amravati
Joseph Sriharsh Mary Indralja Edn ... vs Govt Of Ap on 31 January, 2022
Author: U. Durga Prasad Rao
Bench: U.Durga Prasad Rao
HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE U.DURGA PRASAD RAO
Writ Petition No.17429 of 2021
ORDER:
The petitioners seek a writ of mandamus against the 2nd respondent / Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada (JNTUK) with a lengthy prayer, the substance of which is that the 2nd respondent while offering 4 year B.Tech courses in CSE [Artificial Intelligence (A.I) & Machine Learning (M.L)] / CSE (Data Science), instead of showing A.I, M.L & Data Science as optional / elective specializations with additional 18 to 20 credits to enable the students to obtain B.Tech (Hons) CSE degree, unjustly included those optional/elective specialised subjects in the B.Tech (CSE) core course for 160 credits which is contrary to the AICTE (Grant of Approvals for Technical Institutions) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2021 (for short, 'the AICTE Regulations') dated 24.02.2021 r/w clause 7.3.2 of the Approval Process Hand Book (APHB) 2021-22 and to declare as such.
(a) The petitioners sought a consequential direction to 2nd respondent to offer the elective courses in emerging/multi disciplinary areas only as specialization subjects with 18 to 20 credits and treat the admissions made by 2nd petitioner institution during the Academic Year 2020-21 for B.Tech (CSE) course with 160 credits and with an option for the students to choose specialized subjects viz., A.I & M.L / Data Science for obtaining B.Tech (Hons) CSE degree and to grant affiliation to 2nd petitioner institution accordingly. 2
2. The 1st petitioner is an educational Society which established the 2nd petitioner-Engineering College for Christian Minority people in particular and others in general. It has got approval of the AICTE, PCI and affiliated to JNTUH, Telangana and JNTUK in Andhra Pradesh. It offers courses in Diploma, UG & PG Engineering, Pharmacy, MBA, PGDBM etc.
(a) The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) / 3rd respondent is a statutory body established under the AICTE Act, 1987 which has been authorised to grant approvals for establishing and operating institutions to impart technical education. Whereas, the 2nd respondent University is a statutory body established under the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Act, 2008 which is a State Act and it exercises the functions of granting affiliation to colleges within its territorial jurisdiction.
(b) While so, the 3rd respondent issued AICTE Regulations. 2021. As per Regulation 3.2(b), the 3rd respondent introduced Under Graduate degree courses with Minor degree / Hons. in Engineering / Multidisciplinary areas, which courses shall be allowed as specified in the APHB from time-to-time. For the Academic Year 2020-21, the 3rd respondent provided in the said APHB certain elective courses in emerging areas with specializations in all branches of Engineering and Technology. Those elective courses in emerging areas offered in the same department are called as Honours degrees and offered in other departments are called as Minor degrees, for which the students shall 3 secure additional 18 to 20 credits in addition to the 160 credits for the basic core engineering branch.
(c) While so, the petitioners secured NOC from 2nd respondent dated 12.03.2020 for closure of traditional engineering disciplines and to start B.Tech (Hons) CSE with specializations in A.I. & M.L. and Data Science in accordance with Clause 7.3.2 of the APHB 2020-21 and applied to 3rd respondent for grant of approval for new additional courses in B.Tech CSE (A.I and M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) for the Academic Year 2020-21. The 3rd respondent vide proceedings dated 15.06.2020 granted approval to 2nd petitioner institution for B.Tech CSE (A.I and M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) courses and PG courses in emerging technologies in CSE. The approval granted for UG Honours course in CSE which is germane for this writ petition, is as follows:
S.No. Name of the Course Intake
1 B.Tech-CSE (Artificial Intelligence & 180
Machine Learning)
2 B.Tech - CSE (Data Science) 120
(d) The further case of the petitioner is, pursuant to the approval granted by 3rd respondent, 1st respondent granted permission for the said courses vide G.O.Rt.No.184 dated 26.12.2020 and the 2nd respondent granted affiliation for the said courses by communicating same to the counselling authorities.
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(e) Be that it may, as per clause 7.3.2 of the APHB 2020-21, it is clear that the elective courses in the emerging areas shall be treated as specialization courses to be offered to those students admitted in the core Under Graduate courses and willing to gain additional credits for such specialization courses in the range of 18 to 20. However, the 2nd respondent without notifying core CSE course with 160 credits and elective courses in emerging areas as specializations with 18 to 20 credits for conferring B.Tech (Hons) CSE with specializations A.I & M.L. / Data Science, straight away introduced Under Graduate B.Tech branches in CSE with specializations in emerging areas A.I & M.L / Data Science with 160 credits by stating that the above courses are branch specializations in CSE (A.I. & M.L.) or CSE (Data Science) and not B.Tech. (Hons) courses. The 2nd respondent further stated that the elective advanced subjects in emerging / Multidisciplinary areas with additional 18 to 20 credits shall be permitted only to the technical institutions having atleast two NBA accredited B.Tech/M.Tech programs. Such act on the part of the 2nd respondent is contrary to regulation 3.2(b) r/w clause 7.3.2 of the APHB 2020-21 and 2021-22.
(f) The 2nd petitioner submitted several representations to 2nd respondent and also the 3rd respondent, for which 3rd respondent gave clarification dated 11.03.2021 by e-mail stating that elective courses offered in the emerging / Multidisciplinary areas are only specializations which are additional and the students who intend to 5 take specializations have to gain 18 to 20 credits additionally. Since the 2nd respondent has not given any clarification, the petitioner filed W.P.No.13538/2021 and pending the said writ petition 2nd respondent gave the impugned proceedings dated 01.08.2021, which is contrary to the regulations and APHB. The 2nd respondent being the University is bound by the regulations issued by 3rd respondent and it cannot take its own decision contrary to the regulations.
Hence, the writ petition.
3. The 2nd respondent filed the written instructions and material papers wherein it is mentioned as follows:
(a) The petitioner college applied for closure of the Under Graduate course i.e., B.Tech (CSE) core course for the Academic Year 2020-21 and applied for Extension of Approval for the Academic Year 2020-21. The 2nd respondent vide proceedings dated 12.03.2020 issued NOC for the petitioner to close the core B.Tech (CSE) and B.Tech (ECE) course among others. Thereafter 3rd respondent issued Extension of Approval (EOA) dated 15.06.2020.
The extension of approval is for Under Graduate CSE (A.I & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) courses. Having sought permission to close the B.Tech (CSE) core course for the Year 2020-21, the petitioner institute is demanding to treat the admissions made by it during the Academic Year 2020-21, as the admissions for B.Tech (CSE) core course, which is contrary to law and thus, the petitioners are misleading the respondents. Thus, the demand of the 2nd petitioner 6 institute to treat the admissions made by it during the Academic Year 2020-21 as the admissions for B.Tech (CSE) core course with 160 credits with an option to the students to choose the respective optional / elective specializations with 18 to 20 credits, to enable them to get degree in B.Tech (Hons) CSE with specialization in A.I & M.L / Data Science is violative of the norms given by 3rd respondent.
(b) It is further stated that the petitioner college applied for Extension of Approval (EOA) for B.Tech courses in CSE (A.I & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) as new courses with 160 credits during the Academic Year 2020-21. Therefore, the students of the petitioner institute who got admission in B.Tech courses in CSE (A.I. & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) will study A.I. & M.L. and also the Data Science as their subjects in 2nd and 3rd year as per the course curriculum. Whereas, in B.Tech (CSE) core course, subjects A.I. & M.L and Data Science are optional. Hence, the students who took purposefully the admission into B.Tech CSE (A.I. & M.L) and B.tech CSE (Data Science) courses will be losing the prime purpose of choosing the specialized courses as they study those subjects well in advance in 2nd and 3rd years compared to B.Tech (CSE) core course. Hence, the petitioner institution need not file writ petition. The petitioner institute may offer B.Tech CSE (A.I. & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) and all eligible students of the above courses may opt for the emerging subjects such as Internet of Things (IOT), Blockchain, Robotics etc. as A.I & M.L and Data Science were 7 already offered as part of their curriculum. Hence, there is no violation of clause 7.3.2(b). The reconsideration of the affiliation granted to the petitioner institution for the Academic Year 2020-21 can be done by 3rd respondent only. The 2nd respondent dose not have the provision to change the admissions made under one course to another course which is not as per the EOA.
4. The 3rd respondent filed counter. It is stated that Section 10 of the AICTE Act, 1987 prescribes the functions of the Council and mandates that it shall be the duty of the Council to take all necessary steps for ensuring coordinated and integrated development of technical education. Whereas, Section 10(k) of the said Act empowers the AICTE to grant approval for starting new technical institutions and for introduction of new courses of programs in consultation with the agencies concerned and Section 10(g) empowers AICTE to withhold or discontinue grants to those technical institutions which failed to comply with the directions given by it. While so, the courses viz., CSE (A.I. & M.L), CSE (Data Science), CSE (Cyber Security), CSE (IOT) etc. were approved by the 3rd respondent which requires 160 credits. It also introduced B.Tech CSE with Honours degree in A.I & M.L, Data Science, Cyber Security, IOT etc. which require additional 18 to 20 credits. As per clause 7.3.2 of the APHB 2021-22, the normal score of a B.Tech programme is 160 credits and for securing Honours degree the students are required an additional of 18 to 20 credits. It is further stated that as per clause 8 7.3.2, Undergraduate degree courses in emerging / multidisciplinary areas shall be allowed as specialization from the same department. The minimum additional credits for such courses shall be in the range of 18 to 20 which shall be mentioned in the degree as specialization in that particular area. Minor specialization in emerging/ multidisciplinary areas in Undergraduate degree courses will be allowed where a student of another department takes the minimum additional credits in the range of 18 to 20 and get a degree with minor from another department. The Universities are free to evolve their own syllabus for every Minor degree / Honours. Hence, appropriate orders may be passed.
5. The petitioner filed reply affidavit against the written instructions filed by 2nd respondent and denied the averments therein. It is stated that the petitioners after securing NOC from 2nd respondent, applied to 3rd respondent for closure of existing B.Tech CSE and B.Tech ECE courses with 160 credits and applied for 4 years B.Tech new courses in CSE (A.I. & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) as per clause 2.15.4(b) of the APHB 2020. In view of the same, B.Tech CSE which requires 160 credits, the CSE with Honours degree in A.I. & M.L. and Data Science requires additional 18 to 20 credits. As per clause 7.3.2 of the APHB 2021-22, the normal score / credits of B.Tech programme is 160 credits and for securing Honours degree, the students require an additional 18 to 20 credits. The 3rd respondent vide proceedings dated 15.06.2020 was pleased to grant approval for 9 the same. It is further stated that what is requested by the petitioners is to treat the admissions made in B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) or B.Tech CSE (Data Science) courses during the Academic Year 2020-21 as admissions in B.tech (CSE) core course, as the exercising of options by the interested students for the emerging courses in AI & ML and Data Science is consequent to their admission into B.Tech (CSE) core course as per clause 7.3.2 of the APHB, 2020. As per the said clause, the students admitted in B.Tech CSE (A.I. & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) courses getting extra credits of 18 to 20 will get Honours, whereas the rest of the students will get core degree in B.Tech (CSE). Therefore, the petitioners have requested the respondents to treat the admissions made in B.Tech CSE (A.I and M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) during the year 2020-21 as admissions made in B.Tech (CSE) core course. It is further stated that the understanding of 2nd respondent that B.Tech courses in CSE (A.I and M.L) and CSE (Data Science) are new courses with 160 credits is violative of clause 7.3.2 of APHB, 2020. The subjects in 2nd and 3rd year as per the course curriculum of B.Tech CSE (A.I and M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) were not given at the time of admissions of the students during the year 2020-21. The admitted students in B.Tech CSE (A.I and M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) are very well aware of the fact that the said courses consist of 160 credit score in CSE and additional credit score in A.I & M.L / Data Science with 18 to 20 credits to get Honours degree.
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6. Heard arguments of Sri Sricharan Telaprolu, learned counsel for petitioners, and learned Government Pleader for Higher Education representing 1st respondent, Sri I.Madhu Babu, Standing Counsel for 2nd respondent, and Sri P.S.P.Suresh Kumar, Standing Counsel for 3rd respondent.
7. Both the learned counsel reiterated respective pleadings in their arguments. While learned counsel for petitioners Sri Sricharan Telaprolu castigated the 2nd respondent in including A.I & M.L and Data Science in the B.Tech (CSE) core course instead of showing them as specialized elective subjects to enable the students to choose them for obtaining Honours / Minor Degree, which amounts to violation of regulations and APHB issued by 3rd respondent, per contra, Sri I.Madhu Babu, Standing Counsel for 2nd respondent while referring point No.6 of the written instructions, would argue that the petitioner college applied for Extension of Approval (EoA) for B.Tech (CSE) courses as CSE (A.I & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) as new courses with 160 credits during the Academic Year 2020-21 and accordingly, 3rd respondent gave permission and the Government have given G.O. and 2nd respondent University has issued affiliation. Learned counsel would further argue that the students who got admission in B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) or B.Tech CSE (Data Science) will study those courses i.e., A.I & M.L and Data Science as core subjects in 2nd and 3rd years as per the course curriculum because 2nd 11 respondent University has included those two specialized subjects in the core course curriculum and created separate branches as CSE (A.I & M.L) and CSE (Data Science). Therefore, the students who got admission in those branches such as CSE (A.I & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) will study those subjects as core subjects for 160 credits in 2nd and 3rd years of B.Tech. They will not study those subjects as optionals. If they choose to pursue B.Tech (Honours), they can choose other elective subjects such as Blockchain or Cyber Security or Internet of Things (IOT) or Robotics etc. which are prescribed as elective subjects for offering Honours to the B.Tech CSE. Therefore, a student of B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) or B.Tech CSE (Data Science) can choose any one of the aforesaid elective subjects as optional subject and if he secures additional credits of 18 to 20, the University will grant him B.Tech degree with Honours in that specialized subject. He would further argue, students of B.Tech (CSE) core course may choose A.I & M.L and Data Science as their optionals. However, the students who purposefully took admission in B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) will have to study A.I & M.L and Data Science as part of their core subjects for 160 credits. Learned Standing Counsel argued that as per clause 7.3.2(c) of the APHB 2021-22, the Universities are free to evolve their own syllabus for any Minor degree / Honours for which Model Syllabus is not available on AICTE's website. The only rider is that all branches of Engineering & Technology shall offer elective courses in the 12 emerging / multidisciplinary areas. He would argue that obliging the same, the University included A.I & M.L in the core subject for B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) branch. That does not amount to violation of the regulations and guidelines given in APHB by 3rd respondent. On the other hand, the petitioner college which obtained Extension of Approval specifically in B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) and CSE (Data Science) cannot turn round and contend that A.I & M.L and Data Science cannot be shown as core subjects, but they should be shown only as elective specialized subjects to be chosen by willing students as option for securing Honours degree.
8. Learned Standing Counsel for 3rd respondent Sri P.S.P. Suresh Kumar referring to the disclaimer under clause 7.3.2 of the APHB would argue that the University can decide whether Minor / Honours degree can be offered or not in a particular area which is not mentioned in the list and for that purpose the approval of AICTE is not required.
9. The points for consideration are:
(1) Whether by including A.I & M.L and Data Science as core subjects in B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) respectively, the 2nd respondent violated the regulations and guidelines issued by 3rd respondent? (2) To what relief?13
10. Point No.1 : I gave my anxious consideration to the above respective arguments. The Central Government with an avowed object of evolving proper planning and coordinated and qualitative development of the technical education system throughout the country, have established the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). For this purpose it has enacted the All India Council for Technical Education Act, 1987. Section 3 speaks about establishment of the AICTE. It consists of the Chairman and other academic persons. Section 10 deals with various functions of the Council, of which functions enumerated in (i) and (k) are germane for our purpose which are thus:
10 (i). lay down norms and standards for courses, curricula, physical and instructional facilities, staff pattern, staff qualifications, quality instructions, assessment and examinations.
10. (k) grant approval for starting new technical institutions and for introduction of new courses or programmes in consultation with the agencies concerned.
Then Section 23 of the AICTE Act, 1987 speaks about the power of the Council to make regulations. As per this Section, the Council may make regulations and rules to carry out the purposes of the Act. It should be noted that in exercise of its powers conferred under Section 23(2)(c) read with Sections 10 & 11 of the AICTE Act, 1987, the Council issued the regulations called as the All India Council for Technical Education (Grant of Approvals for Technical Institutions) (1st Amendment) Regulations, 2021 14 Clause 3(2)(b) of the amended regulation reads as follows:
3. 2 (b). Under Graduate Degree Courses with Minor Degree / Hons. in Emerging / Multidisciplinary Areas shall be allowed as specified in the Approval Process Handbook from time to time.
11. Thus, the above clause 3.2 (b) lays down that Under Graduate degree courses with Minor degree / Honours in emerging / multidisciplinary areas shall be allowed as specified in the APHB. This APHB contains several emerging / multidisciplinary subjects. Therefore, the APHB has to be verified at this juncture.
(a) Clause 7.3.2 of the APHB ordains that all branches of Engineering and Technology to offer elective courses in the emerging / multidisciplinary areas as specified in the Appendix-2 of the said book. The clause 7.3.2 reads thus:
7.3.2. All branches of Engineering and Technology shall offer Elective Courses in the EMERGING / MULTIDISCIPLINARY AREAS viz., Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Robotics, Quantum Computing, Data Sciences, Cyber Security, 3D Printing and Design, Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR) etc., as specified in Appendix 2 of the Approval Process Handbook.
a. Under Graduate Degree Courses in EMERGING / MULTIDISCIPLINARY AREAS shall be allowed as specialization from the same department. The minimum additional Credits for such Courses shall be in the range of 18-20 (including credit transferred from the SWAYAM platform) and the same shall be mentioned in the degree, as specialization in that particular area. For example, doing extra credits for Robotics in Mechanical Engineering shall earn B.E./B.Tech. (Hons.) Mechanical Engineering with specialization in Robotics.
b. Minor specialization in EMERGING / MULTIDISCIPLINARY AREAS in Under Graduate Degree Courses may be allowed where a student of another Department shall take the minimum additional Credits in the range of 18-20 and get a degree with minor from another Department.
c. Universities are free to evolve their own Syllabus for any Minor Degree / Hons. for which Model Syllabus is not available on AICTE's Website.
d. If an Institution is having the required Infrastructure facilities, Faculty and other requirements as per the Approval Process Handbook, for conducting the Core (Under Graduate 15 Degree) Courses, the specialization in EMERGING / MULTIDISCIPLINARY AREAS shall be permitted WITHIN THE APPROVED INTAKE WITHOUT HAMPERING THE GENERIC COURSE e. Clause e contains the list of subjects in Minor degree / Honours Sl.No Minor Degree / To be offered as Hons. Only for following Major Hons. Disciplines (For any other Major Disciplines which is not mentioned, it may be offered a Minor Degree) 1 Artificial Computer Science and Engineering; Electronics and Intelligence and Communication Engineering: Electronics Machine Learning Engineering 2 Blockchain Computer Science and Engineering; Electronics and Communication Engineering: Electronics Engineering 3 Cyber Security Computer Science and Engineering; Electronics and Communication Engineering: Electronics Engineering 4 Data Science Computer Science and Engineering; Electronics and Communication Engineering: Electronics Engineering 5 Internet of Things Computer Science and Engineering; Electronics and (IoT) Communication Engineering: Electronics Engineering 6 to 39 xxx xxx
12. The interpretation of the above clause is the bone of contention between the petitioner and 2nd respondent. As already stated supra, while the petitioner contends that the A.I & M.L and Data Science can only be shown as elective specialized subjects and option should be granted to the students to pursue Honours in those specialized subjects, but those specialized subjects cannot be included in the core course. The contention of 2nd respondent is that the EoA obtained by the petitioner from 3rd respondent was only for B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) and therefore, the University prepared the course of studies in tune with the EoA obtained by the petitioner and prescribed A.I & M.L. & Data Science as core subjects to be studied by the students in 2nd and 3rd year and therefore, there is 16 no violation of clause 7.3.2. In my considered view, for proper appreciation of the respective contentions, it is apposite at this juncture to look into the Extension of Approval (EoA) dated 15.06.2020 granted by 3rd respondent to petitioner institution, a copy of which is filed by the petitioner along with material papers. The EoA dated 15.06.2020 would show that AICTE granted approval to the petitioner to conduct several Undergraduate and PG courses with fixed intake capacity for the Academic Year 2020-21. The relevant approvals are as follows:
Program Level Course Affiliating Intake Intake NRI PIO /FN/ Body Approved Approved Approval Gulf quota (University for for Status / OCI / / Body) 2019-20 2020-21 Approval Status Engineering Under Computer Jawaharlal 0 NA NA and Graduate Science and Nehru 180##$$ Technology Engineering Technological (Artificial University, Intelligence Kakinada and Machine Learning) Engineering Under Computer Jawaharlal 0 NA NA and Graduate Science and Nehru 120##$$ Technology Engineering Technological (Data University, Science) Kakinada ## Approved New Course (s) $$ Course (s) should be offered in Emerging Area
13. Thus, the Extension of Approval granted by 3rd respondent would show that the petitioner was permitted to offer Undergraduate B.E. and B.Tech CSE with A.I & M.L & Undergraduate B.Tech CSE (Data Science). The ## indicate that the said courses are the new courses which were approved to the petitioner college and $$ symbol indicates that this course should be offered in emerging area. The above EoA when studied in conjunction with clause 7.3.2, it would indicate that the courses granted to the petitioner college by 3rd 17 respondent are the new courses which are the emerging/multidisciplinary areas mentioned in Appendix 2. These new courses no doubt shall be offered as elective courses as specialization from the same department. However, clause 7.3.2 does not put any specific embargo to treat one or more of the elective subjects as core subjects in the B.Tech CSE and giving option to the students of that particular course to choose other elective subjects for pursuing the Honours. It appears the 2nd respondent has done the same thing. As can be seen from Para 6 of the written instructions, the 2nd respondent clarified that since the petitioner institute obtained EoA for B.Tech course in CSE (AI & ML) and CSE (Data Science) the students who have specifically obtained admission in those courses will study AI & ML and Data Science as core subjects in 2nd and 3rd year as per course curriculum and they may opt for emerging subjects such as Internet of Things (IoT), Blockchain, Robotics etc. for Honours. It has further clarified that those students who had taken B.Tech CSE core course, they may opt for A.I & M.L or Data Science for doing Honours. Thus, according to the 2nd respondent, having regard to the nature of EoA obtained by the petitioner, mentioning A.I & M.L and Data Science as core subjects for the students of B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) does not amount to infringement of clause 7.3.2. I find considerable force in the argument of 2nd respondent. From the clarification given by 2nd respondent, neither the students nor the petitioner institution will 18 suffer any injury. The students who pursue only B.Tech CSE core course can choose A.I & M.L or Data Science as elective specializations for Honours. Whereas the students who have got admission in B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) or B.Tech CSE (Data Science) will study those emerging new courses as core subjects for 160 credits and they will be thus benefited by studying the new course. Added to it, they can elect any other specialized subjects like Robotics, Blockchain, Cyber Security, IoT etc. for securing the Honours degree.
14. It must be noted that the object of introducing several new courses by 3rd respondent is to provide familiarity to the engineering students with new subjects apart from the conventional subjects which they study in their respective branches. If they select any of the listed special subjects and get 18 / 20 credits, they will get Honours degree in those specialized subjects. However, in the entire process 2nd respondent cannot be found fault for treating the specialized courses as core course as stated supra.
15. It should be noted that the petitioner said to have sent a query e-
mail to 3rd respondent seeking clarification on the question posed by one of their member institution as to (1) whether it is open for college to start B.Tech CSE without going for Minor / Honours degree (2) whether it is open for the students admitted in CSE (Data Science) to change the option of not doing Minor / Honours degree in Data Science and confine to CSE major disciplines with 160 credits. The 19 answer said to have been given by 3rd respondent was that Minor and Honours degree are optional and the students who wish to have this facility are required to take additional 5 to 6 courses (minimum 18 credits). It appears the petitioners sent further query, for which the 2nd respondent has given reply that it was already clarified earlier. The petitioners sought to argue that from the above clarifications of 3rd respondent, it is clear that A.I & M.L. and Data Science can be recorded only as elective specialized subjects for securing Honours degree and they cannot be recorded as core subjects. This argument cannot be accepted for the reasons already given by 2nd respondent. Running the risk of pleonasm, the 2nd respondent submits B.Tech CSE (A.I & M.L) and B.Tech CSE (Data Science) students have to study the A.I & M.L and Data Science as core subjects for 160 credits and they can elect their specialized subjects for securing Honours. On the other hand, the students who only go for B.Tech CSE may or may not choose any specialized subjects for securing Honours. But if they want to go for Honours, they may elect one of the specialized subjects and get the Honours on securing 18 to 20 credits additionally. In view of the above discussion, I find no merits in the writ petition.
Accordingly, the Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs. As a sequel, interlocutory applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.
__________________________ U. DURGA PRASAD RAO, J 31.01.2022 MVA 20 HON'BLE SRI JUSTICE U. DURGA PRASAD RAO Writ Petition No.17429 of 2021 31st January, 2022 krk