As per directive dated 29.06.2014 of University Grants Commission (UGC), University of Delhi has to obtain appropriate approval of the AICTE for its B. Tech Programmes in Computer Science, Electronics, Food Technology, Instrumentation Electronics and Polymer Science started in academic year 2013-14.

However, the Supreme Court, in its Order dated 9/05/2014 in SLP (Civil) No. 7277/2014 (Orissa Technical Colleges Association vs AICTE & Anr), has mandated that prior approval of AICTE is compulsory and mandatory for conduct of a technical course by an existing affiliated Technical College for conduct of its Technical Courses/ Programmes for the academic year 2014-15. Therefore, the approval for B.Tech Programmes became mandatory again w.e.f. 09/05/2014.

Regarding approval of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) for the B.Tech course conducted by the colleges affiliated to University of Delhi, the Hon’ble Supreme Court, in its Judgment dated 25/4/2013, in Civil Appeal No. 1145 of 2004 (Association of management of private colleges vs. AICTE & ors.) had excluded colleges affiliated to University from the definition of “Technical Institution” as defined under Section 2(h) of the AICTE Act, 1987. Therefore, B.Tech. Programmes started by University of Delhi, in academic year 2013-14, did not require approval of AICTE, as per the prevailing case law at that time.

This information was given by the Union HRD Minister, Smt Smriti Irani in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question today.

Source: Press Information Bureau