In Brief
Seven students who enrolled in engineering degree programs through open distance learning at a deemed-to-be university in 2004-2005 sought a declaration that their degrees were valid without AICTE approval and should be treated equally with traditional university degrees. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, holding that deemed-to-be universities require AICTE approval for technical education courses, unlike state universities. The petitioners were covered by earlier directions in the Orissa Lift Irrigation case requiring AICTE-conducted tests to restore degree validity. The attempt to rely on a state university exception was rejected as inapplicable to deemed universities.
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