In Brief
An educational society sought mandamus to compel AICTE to grant approval for establishing a college from the 2017-18 academic year. Although the society submitted its application within the deadline, inspection revealed deficiencies including undisclosed sharing of land and facilities with another institute. The deficiencies were remedied only after 30th April 2017, the statutory cut-off date for that academic year. AICTE granted approval for the 2018-19 year instead. The Court held that statutory timelines are mandatory and non-negotiable. Approval cannot be granted after the cut-off date for that academic year. The society's investment and the prior court order for fresh inspection did not override these timelines. The petition was dismissed.
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