Kerala High Court: In a writ petition filed by Majilis Arts and Science College, challenging National Council for Teacher Education’s (NCTE) delay in granting recognition for its Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITE Programme) course, the Bench of D. K. Singh, J. set aside an order dated 01-05-2025 that had wrongly mentioned 2026—27. The Court directed that the college’s recognition be treated for 2025-26, as the college had complied with all requirements on time, while NCTE failed to follow prescribed timelines.
Background
Majilis Arts and Science College (Autonomous), a minority institution, applied for recognition to offer the ITE Programme for the academic year 2025—26. The application was submitted on 18-05-2024 in response to a public notice issued by the NCTE following regulatory changes under the National Education Policy 2020. An inspection was conducted, and a Letter of Intent (LoI) was issued on 03-04-2025, requiring the college to submit specified documents within 60 days. The college complied within the stipulated time. However, the final Recognition Order dated 01-05-2025 granted approval for the academic year 2026-27 instead of 2025-26.
The delay resulted from procedural lapses by the NCTE, including a show-cause notice issued more than five months after the application well beyond the 45-day deadline set by the Supreme Court. Consequently, the petitioner college filed a writ seeking directions to treat the recognition order dated 01-05-2025 as valid for 2025—26 and to include Majilis College in the admission process for that academic year.
Analysis and Decision vis-a-vis recognition of Majilis College’s ITE Programme for 2025—26
The Court relied on the judgment of Maa Vaishnoo Devi Mahila Mahavidyala v. State of UP , (2013) 2 SCC 617 and observed that the NCTE failed to follow the timeline prescribed therein. The Court noted that the petitioner applied on time and rectified all defects promptly. It pointed out the error on the part of the NCTE and held that the blame could not be shifted to the petitioner, who was not at fault. The Court remarked that the issuance of the Letter of Intent for the academic year 2025—26 and the final recognition for 2026—27 “defied all logic and reason.”
The Court expressed dissatisfaction with the respondents’ arguments and stated that they failed to counter the contentions raised by the petitioner’s senior counsel. It further emphasized the importance of effective governance by statutory bodies, noting that failure in this regard causes hardship to colleges seeking recognition and affiliation.
Accordingly, The Court allowed the writ petition and held that the impugned Recognition Order dated 01-05-2025 should be treated as applicable for the academic year 2025—26 and further directed that the petitioner college be included in the list of eligible institutions for the allotment of students under ITEP for that academic year 2025-26.
[Majilis Arts and Science College v. National Council for Teacher Education, 2025 SCC OnLine Ker 3690, decided on 11-06-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the petitioners: Advocate Nisha George; Senior Advocate; George Poonthottam and Advocate Kavya Varma,
For the respondents: Dr Abraham P. Meachinkara, Standing Counsel for NCTE
