Judgment Anil Dev Singh, C.J.-These three appeals by the Union of India, through Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Secondary & Higher Education, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi; the Coordinator, All India Engineering/ Pharmacy/ Architects Entrance Examination (AIEEE), Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi; and All India Council for Technical Education, New Delhi, are directed against the Judgment & order of the learned Single Judge of this Court, dated April 02, 2004, rendered in SB Civil Writ Petition No. 23 79/2003, whereby the Policy Notification dated October 18, 2001 of the Government of India, Department of Secondary Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development relating to framework for admission to engineering, architecture and pharmacy courses at undergraduate level in the country; the letter to the University Grants Commission dated December 06, 2001 informing the various institutions that the Government of India had resolved to conduct an All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AJEEE) for admission to engineering, architecture & pharmacy courses at under-graduate level in the institutions, including the deemed universities as well as central institutions; and University Grants Commission (Admission To Specified Professional Programmes) Interim Regulations, 2003, dated December 17, 2003, framed by the University Grants Commission for admissions on all- India basis to the under-graduate programmes in engineering, architecture & planning and pharmacy in all institutions in the country, including the deemed universities, except admissions of Indian Institute of Technologies, Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad) and Institute of Technology (Banares Hindu University), have been tound to be inapplicable to Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani (for short “BITS, Pilani”), the first respondent herein (the sole petitioner in the writ petition). 2. On May 13, 1964, the first respondent was registered under the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958. Thereafter on June 27, 1964, within a period of less than a months, the Central Government by a publication in the Official Gazette declared the first respondent as a deemed university under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (for short “UGC Act”). 3. The first respondents, BITS, Pilani, as a deemed university, offers admissions to 17 degree programmes, which include all engineering subject, namely, chemical, civil, mechanical, electrical & electronics, electronics & instrumentation and others subjects like computer science, management, pharmacy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, economics, information systems, finance etc. 4. 3. The first respondents, BITS, Pilani, as a deemed university, offers admissions to 17 degree programmes, which include all engineering subject, namely, chemical, civil, mechanical, electrical & electronics, electronics & instrumentation and others subjects like computer science, management, pharmacy, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, economics, information systems, finance etc. 4. Admissions to BITS, Pilani, are made on the basis of merit, which is determined by the aggregate marks obtained by the candidates in 10+2 Examination of the Central Board or a State Board or its equivalent in physics, chemistry, mathematics & English and modified by a method of normalization. According to the first respondent, this system of admissions to the various courses, is being followed by it for the last thirty years and the same has been commended by the Supreme Court in State of Maharashtra vs. Ravindra Kumar Rai ( (1999) 2 SCC 48 ); and UP Public Service Commissions vs. Subhash Chandra Dixit & Ors., (JT 2003(8) SC 531). The first respondent, BITS, Pilani, also claims that as per the survey of the top most engineering institutions of the country conducted by India Today, it has been assigned the third place, leaving behind lIT, Delhi, lIT, Mumbai and lIT, Guwahati. That apart, the report of the Peer Team, on accreditation of BITS, Pilani, by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC), Bangalore, has also appreciated its admission process. The report while adverting to the admission system of BITS, Pilani, recorded as follows: “The admission process is highly streamlined and admissions are given only on the basis of merit. The Institute admits students from all over the country and cut-off percentage is minimum 96% (normalized) for the students who have passed 10+2 examinations. The entire process is transparent.” As per the certificate of accreditation, issued by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, dated February 07, 2000, BITS, Pilani, has been accredited at the Five Star Level. 5. The grievance of the first respondent, which led to the filing of the writ petition, emanates from the decision of the authorities whereby admission to the engineering courses offered by the first respondent, are required to be made on the basis of All India Engineering Entrance Examination, conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education from the year 2004-2005. The sequence of events leading to admissions through the All India Engineering Entrance Examination need to be stated. 6. The sequence of events leading to admissions through the All India Engineering Entrance Examination need to be stated. 6. ANational Policy on Education (NPE) was announced in the year 1986. In order to implement the policy, Programme of Action (PoA) was formulated in the year 1992. The Programme of Action, 1992 (PoA) inter alia envisaged a common entrance examination on All India basis for admission to professional and technical programmes in the country. 7. Under the Guidelines of 2000, issued by the UGC for Evidencing Proposals For Declaring An Institution As Deemed To Be University Under Section 3 of the UGC Act, admissions to the identical causes in all the Deemed to be Universities are required to be made under para 13 on an all-India basis through a common entrance test conducted either by the UGC or by an InstitutionlAgency identified & approved by the UGC. Para-13 of the Guidelines read as under: “Admissions shall be made on an All-India basis to the identical courses in all the deemed to be universities through a common entrance test conducted either by the University Grants Commission or by pan InstitutionlAgency identified and approved by the UGC. This shall apply also to those institutions which have already been given the deemed to be university status.” 8. By a policy notified on October 18, 2001, the Government of India following that concept, expressed its decision to organize an All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AJEEE) from the year 2002. This examination was envisaged to determine merit for admission to engineering, architecture and pharmacy programmes offered in the deemed universities, central institutions, other than those covered by the Joint Entrance Examinations conducted by the IlTs and institutions in States/Uts willing to join. According to the Notification, in fact, three examinations are conceived for entrance to engineering programmes in the country, viz. (a) The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) conducted by the IlTs; (b) The State Level Engineering Entrance Examination (SLEEE) conducted by the States for entrance to institutions located within their respective territories against seats reserved for students from within the States; and (c) The All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AJEEE). The responsibility for conducting the All India Engineering Entrance Examination has been assigned to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The responsibility for conducting the All India Engineering Entrance Examination has been assigned to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The Central Board of Secondary Education was selected to conduct the All India Engineering Entrance Examination, as it is already conducting the All India Quota of 15% seats in Medical/Dental Colleges in the country in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Court in Dr. Pradeep Jain & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors., AIR 1984 SC 1420 ; Dr. Dinesh Kumar & Ors. vs. Motilal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad, & Ors., AIR 1985 SC 1059 ; and Dr. Dinesh Kumar & Ors. vs. Motilal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad & Ors., AIR 1986 SC 1877 . 9. Asa result of the Notification dated October 18, 2001 a duty has been case on the National Advisory Board (NAB) to advise the Central Board of Secondary Education for conducting the All India engineering Entrance Examination. The members of the Board are required to the drawn from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, participating States/Uts/UGC/ AICTE/NCERT/NIEPA/KVS, NVS. 10. While adopting the Notification dated October 18, 2001, the Government of India took note of the fact that candidates in order to secure admissions, are required to appear in different examinations conducted by various institutions. Multiplicity of such tests places the students and their parents under immense mental and financial burden without adding any value to the system. 11. TheGovernment of India also took note of Section 10(o) of the AICTE Act, 1987, by virtue of which, All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE) is empowered to issue guidelines for admission of students to technical institutions and universities imparting technical education. 12. TheNotification dated October 18, 2001, also refers to Guidelines for deemed universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, where under admission to the identical courses in all deemed universities are required to be made on an all-Indian basis through a common entrance test. 13. In regard to above, the Notification records as follows: “Programme of Action (PoA) 1992 under the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986 envisaged conduct of a Common Entrance Examination on all All India basis for admissions to professional and technical programmes in the country Presently, a number of test are conducted for entrance to such programmes. 13. In regard to above, the Notification records as follows: “Programme of Action (PoA) 1992 under the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986 envisaged conduct of a Common Entrance Examination on all All India basis for admissions to professional and technical programmes in the country Presently, a number of test are conducted for entrance to such programmes. Multiplicity of such tests causes immense mental and financial burden on students and their parents without adding any value to the system. Under Section 10(o) of the AICTE can provide guidelines for admission of students to technical institutions and universities imparting technical education. As per Guidelines for Deemed Universities under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, admissions to the identical courses in all deemed universities are required to be made on an All-India basis through a common entrance test. In view of this, there have been attempts to hold an All India Engineering Entrance Examination for past some time.” 14. On November 21, 2001, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Secondary & Higher Education constituted a National Advisory Board (NAB) for All India Engineering Entrance Examination to lay down policy framework for admissions to engineering, architecture and pharmacy programmes at the under-graduate level in the country. The composition of the Board so constituted is as follows: 1. Secretary, Department of Secondary & Higher Education Chairman. 2. Special Secretary, Department of Secondary & Higher Education. 3. Chairman, UGC. 4. Chairman, AICTE. 5. Director, one of the IlTs (by rotation) 6. Joint Secretary (Secondary Education), Department of Secondary & Higher Education. 7. Joint Secretary (Technical Education), Department of Secondary & Higher Education. 8. Director, NIEPA. 9. Director, NCERT 10. Commissioner, KVS 11. Commissioner, NVS 12. Chairman, CBSE-Member Secretary 13. Head of one of the participating deemed universities. 14. Head of one of the participating central institutions. 15. Principal Secretary/Secretary, Technical Education of the participating State/Uts.” On November 21, 2001 itself , the order constituting National Advisory Board along with a copy of the Notification dated October 18, 2001 was sent by the Government of India to the Vice- Chancellor, BITS, Pilani. 14. Head of one of the participating central institutions. 15. Principal Secretary/Secretary, Technical Education of the participating State/Uts.” On November 21, 2001 itself , the order constituting National Advisory Board along with a copy of the Notification dated October 18, 2001 was sent by the Government of India to the Vice- Chancellor, BITS, Pilani. By the same communication, the Vice- Chancellor, BITS was informed that the first meeting of the national Board will be held on November 26, 2001 at 4.00 p.m. under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Department of Secondary & Higher Education at Conference Rooms No. 127 (First Floor), ‘C’ Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi. The Vice-Chancellor was requested to attend the meeting. Pursuant to the letter dated November 21, 2001, of the Government of India, Human Resource Development Department, the Director, BITS, Pilani, by his letter dated November 26, 2001, expressed his inability to attend the meeting as it was not physically possible to do so but, however, the following views were expressed, so that the same could be placed before the National Advisory Board: 1. BITS, Pilani has been making admissions purely based on merit on an All India basis through the marks obtained in the Board examination by a unique normalized process. This process basically tries to find the relative displacement of a candidate from the candidate who stood first in the examination of the Board from which the candidate under review has passed. Through this process a normalized percentage of marks for every candidate is calculated and All India merit list is prepared. This process has eliminated an entrance examination and also has reduced disparities between absolute marks awarded by different Boards. This process has worked very well for us and again this process is used not just for engineering admission but for admissions for the entire Institute as a whole. Institute makes admission for 17 degree programmes which include all engineering subjects (Chemical, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical & Electronics, Electronics & Instrumentation, Computer Science), Management, Pharmacy, all sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences), Economics, Engineering Technology, Information Systems, Finance and General Studies through a single application form and the students give preference. A student may give first preference to a subject in engineering, second preference in sciences and third preference to pharmacy and fourth may be to Management and again fifth may be to engineering etc. A student may give first preference to a subject in engineering, second preference in sciences and third preference to pharmacy and fourth may be to Management and again fifth may be to engineering etc. Through this process the Institute is getting students above 90% (normalized) to all its programmes. Every year we get the first rank students from about 15 Boards from different States. 2. The type of universities and the type of programmes within the various universities have lot of variations and hence a uniform entrance examination would be difficult. 3. Institutions like BITS will be making admission through a single merit list not only for engineering programmes but also for all other programmes like science, economics, finance etc. Hence it will be detrimental for integrated educational programmes like the programmes in BITS if we have separate attention given only to engineering education. 4. Too much importance to a single entrance examination makes a student neglect the studies in the Board examination and hence the input to our system will not be properly prepared. 5. Any system of admission must give some importance, if not full, to the performance in the school board examination. One suggestion which could be examined carefully will be to create an autonomous National Testing Service, Which will conduct examinations similar to the United State’s SAT type of examination and give Percentile Scholastic Score for each candidate. Universities should use this fully or with a combination of Boards examination marks. This will enable merit based admissions on an All India not only for engineering but for all subjects. This SAT type examinations can be subject-wise, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, English, Biology, Economics etc. and the universities can use an intelligent combination of these scores.” 15. On December 06, 2001, the University Grants Commission apprised the institutions that the Government of India had resolved to conduct an All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AJEEE) for admission to engineering, architecture and pharmacy course at the under-graduate level in the institutions in India. The communication stated that the entrance examination shall be applicable to all deemed universities as well as central institutions like Aligarh Muslim University, Banares Hindu University, Delhi University, Hyderabad University, Visva-Bharati and Jamia Millia Islamia. The communication stated that the entrance examination shall be applicable to all deemed universities as well as central institutions like Aligarh Muslim University, Banares Hindu University, Delhi University, Hyderabad University, Visva-Bharati and Jamia Millia Islamia. It was clarified in the communication that the Notification of the Government of India dated October 18, 2001 permits the deemed universities and central institutions either to opt for Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) being conducted by IlTs or to opt for All India Engineering Entrance Examination to be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education, for admission to engineering, architecture and pharmacy courses at the under-graduate level. A reference was made to para- 13 of the UGC Guidelines for deemed universities, which provides for admission to engineering, architecture and pharmacy courses to be made on all-India basis through a common entrance test. The institutions were informed that for the year 200 1-2002 the question of joining the Joint Entrance Examination by the deemed universities and central institutions, which so far had not joined did not arise. 16. In reply to the communication of the University Grants Commission dated December 06, 2001, BITs, Pilani by its letter dated December 12, 2001, emphasized that admission to BITS, Pilani was being done purely on merit, based on the marks obtained by the students in the board examination and not through any entrance examination. According to the letter of BITs, Pilani, the admissions were being done on All India basis and the marks obtained in different board examination were being normalized through a well-known & well-documented procedure. BITS, Pilani indicated that it was not in favour of change in the procedure adopted by it for admission to technical programmes, as according to it, that would create confusion, discontent and hardship to the participant students from all-over the country. The University Grants Commission was informed that BITs, Pilani will not be joining the Joint Entrance Examination mode for admissions. Again, its letter dated December 12, 2001, BITS, Pilani informed the Board of Secondary Education that it will not be opting for the All India Engineering Entrance Examination system for granting admissions to candidates in technical programmes. 17. The Government of India on June 10, 2003, with a view to further streamline admissions in under-graduate programmes leading to professional qualifications, constituted a committee comprising of the following persons to look into the related issues of Joint Entrance Examination: - “1. 17. The Government of India on June 10, 2003, with a view to further streamline admissions in under-graduate programmes leading to professional qualifications, constituted a committee comprising of the following persons to look into the related issues of Joint Entrance Examination: - “1. Prof Arun S. Nigavekar, Chairman, UGC-Chairman. 2. Prof R. Natarajan, Chairman, AICTE. 3. Shri Syed Shahid Mahdi, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia. 4. Prof M.P. Kapoor, Vice Chancellor, TIET, Patiala. 5. Proof B.P. Khandelwal, Director, NIEPA. 6. Prof NSV Rameshwara Rao, Chairman, CCB-AJEEE 2002 & Prof , lIT, Kanpur. 7. Shri V.S. Pandey, Joint Secretary, Secondary Education, Ministry of HR]). 8. Shri M.M. Jha, Joint Secretary, Secondary Education, Ministry of HRI). 9. Shri S.P. Gaur, Joint Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of HRD. 10. Prof A.K. Maitra, Director, School of Planning and Architecture. 10.11. ShriN. Ravi Shankar, Secretary, Technical Education, Uttaranchal. 112. Shri A.V. Singh, Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Madhya Pradesh. 113. Shri R. Ramabhadran, Secretary, Technical Education, Gujarat. 114. Dr. Malti Das, Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Kamataka. 115. Prof Ashok Ganguly, Chairman, CBSE. 116. Prof D.V. Sharma, General Secretary, Council of Boards of Secondary Education. 117. Shri Pawan Agarwal, Director, Technical Education Member-Secretary.” 18. On July30, 2002, the committee aforesaid (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee to Streamline Admissions In Undergraduate Programmes Leading To professional Qualifications In The Country, presented its report to the Department of Secondary and Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development. The Committee was of the opinion that the central and deemed universities should participate in Common Entrance Examination, 2003. 19. It appears that BITS, Pilani participated in the meeting of the Committee to Streamline Admissions In The Undergraduate Programmes Leading To Professional Qualifications In The Country. By its letter dated July 19, 2002 to the Director, Ministry of Human Resource Development Department, BITS, Pilani reiterated the points which it had made with regard to the draft report. The letter also highlighted that BITS, Pilani has always maintained that the treatment, which was given to IlTs, should also be given to BITS, Pilani owing to its rank in the country in the field of engineering education. The letter also pointed out that it would not be acceptable to BITS, Pilani, if there was any examination for admission to engineering programmes, which was based on minimal syllabus since this would reduce the quality of the students. The letter also pointed out that it would not be acceptable to BITS, Pilani, if there was any examination for admission to engineering programmes, which was based on minimal syllabus since this would reduce the quality of the students. In this regard, the letter stated as follows: “BITS has always maintained that the treatment which is given to IlTs should also be given to BITS owing to its rank in the country in the filed of engineering education. It will not be acceptable to BITS if there is any examination, which is based on minimal syllabus since this will reduce the quality of the students. The quality of the student of BITS should at least be the same as of IlTs, if not higher. The population who aspire for BITS Pilani is the same as IlTs. At present those whose score very high marks in their board examinations are able to get into BITS. If they get very high rank in JEE they go to IlTs. So, there is no conflict. But, if we hold an entrance examination it would be the same for BITS and IlTs. Otherwise we will create a hardship for students because BITS and IITs have similar ranking. As a matter of fact this year BITS is ranked higher than many of the IITs.” 20. On June 10, 2003, University Grants Commission issued Interim Policy Regulations. The relevant part of the Regulations, is extracted below: “No. F. 1 -6/2003(CPP-II) :-In exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (i) of Sub-section (1) of Section 26, read with Sub-section (2) of Section 12-A, of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956), the University Grants Commission, hereby makes the tollowing interim Regulations Background: Consequent to the Judgment delivered on 310.2002, by Eleven Judges’ Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in W.P. No. 317 of 1993, titled TMA Pai Foundation vs. State of Karnataka and Ors., certain changes are required to be undertaken in the various provisions of UGC Regulations and Guidelines. It has been decided by the UGC that an interim policy pronouncement may be made in furtherance of the Judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court so as to pass on some benefits to the Universities/Institutions deemed to be universities/colleges from the ensuing academic year 2003-2004. It has been decided by the UGC that an interim policy pronouncement may be made in furtherance of the Judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court so as to pass on some benefits to the Universities/Institutions deemed to be universities/colleges from the ensuing academic year 2003-2004. The revision of UGC Regulations in respect of fees and admissions is under consideration and till such time the same are amended, the following interim Regulations shall apply, in supersession of existing provisions, as given below: Applicability: these shall be applicable to .(a) colleges affiliated to the universities other than all such technical institutions and the technical courses/programmes which are governed by the existing Regulations of AICTE; .(b) Institutions deemed to be universities under Section 3 of the Act including such institutions which operate on self -financing basis without receiving maintenance or development grants from the Central Government, any State Government or any statutory body under their control and disbursing grants; .(c) All theUniversities including Universities not receiving grant-in-aid from the Central Government or any State Government or any grant disbursing statutory bodies of such Governments for the maintenance or development expenditure of such universities; and .(d) Universities established as a joint venture between a private trust or society and a State Government. .(1) Admission: The management of the University/institutions deemed to be universities/colleges, minority and non-minority shall follow some identifiable or reasonable methodology of admitting students as held by Hon’ ble Supreme Court. The Hon’ble Court also held that excellence in professional education would require greater emphasis on merit of students seeking admission and appropriate Regulations for this purpose may be made. For professional and technical courses, the merit is usually determined by common entrance test conducted by Government agencies. In the matter of admission into professional and technical programmes the merit of the students shall be determined by entrance test conducted in favour manner. Therefore, it has been decided all the seats including the seats reserved for the management must be filled up through Joint Entrance Test/Common Entrance Test conducted by Central/State Govt. or University followed by Counseling as per present practice. However, the private unaided institutions may fill up the management seats by having their own Counseling in an objective and transparent manner taking the students from same merit list prepared on the basis of Joint entrance Test/Common entrance Test of Central/State Government. or University followed by Counseling as per present practice. However, the private unaided institutions may fill up the management seats by having their own Counseling in an objective and transparent manner taking the students from same merit list prepared on the basis of Joint entrance Test/Common entrance Test of Central/State Government. As per Section 13 of the guidelines for Deemed Universities these institutions shall join the common entrance examination notified by UGC. Hence all the Deemed Universities offering technical and professional programmes shall join AJEEE exam, conducted by CBSE for the purpose of admission. For all such admissions the minimum eligibility criteria, under management or otherwise must be in accordance with the existing Regulations and Guidelines of UGC and others regulatory bodies. 21. Again on December 17, 2003, the University Grants Commission notified UGC (Admission To Specified Professional Programmes) Interim Regulations, 2003. The said Regulations to the extent relevant is quoted below: “In pursuance of the Judgment on august 14, 2003 of the 5 Judge Bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Islamic Academy of Education & Ors. vs. State of Karnataka & Ors., Read with the Majority Judgment s on October 31, 2002 of 11 Judge constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in the case of TMA Pai Foundation & Ors. vs. State of Karnataka & Ors., And with a view to avoiding mental, physical and financial burden on students due to multiplicity of entrance examination(s), and in exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (g) of Sub-section (1) of Section 26 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (No. 3 of 1956) and in partial supersession of Interim Policy Regulations No. F.1-6/2003 (CPP-II) dated 10th June, 2003, the University Grants Commission (UGC) makes the following Interim Regulations for admission to specified professional programmes in the country during the year 2004-2005. 1. Short title, application and commencement: (1). These Regulations may be called the University Grants Commission (Admission to specified professional programmes) Interim Regulations, 2003. (2) They shall apply to every university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a a State Act, including all institutions recognized by/or affiliated to them and every institution deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956 conducting specified professional programmes. (3) They shall come into force for all admissions to the specified programmes during the year 2004-2005. 2. (3) They shall come into force for all admissions to the specified programmes during the year 2004-2005. 2. Definitions In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires: 2.1 “Institution” means every university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act, including all institutions recognized by or affiliated to hem and every Institution deemed to be University under Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956. 1.1 All India Common Entrance Examination(s) These examinations shall be for all the institutions that are presently admitting all their students or certain percentage of them on All India basis. 1.1 Entrance Examination for admissions to undergraduate Programmes in Engineering, Architecture & Planning and Pharmacy. Admission on All India basis to the undergraduate programmes in Engineering, Architecture & Planning and Pharmacy in all institutions in the country shall be made through an All India Engineering, Architecture & Planning and Pharmacy Entrance Examination (AJEEE) conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The AJEEE shall, however, not be applicable for admissions to Indian Institute of Technologies, Indian School of Mines (Dhanbad) and Institute of Technology (Banares Hindu University) that are admitting students on the basis of Joint Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Institute of Technologies.” 22. Aggrieved by the Notification dated October 18, 2001 issued by the Government of India requiring the candidates seeking admission to engineering colleges of the country to appear in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AJEEE) to be conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE); the communication dated December 6, 2001, which mandates all deemed universities to grant admission on the basis of the AJEEE conducted by the CBSE; Interim Regulation dated December 17, 2003 framed by the University