SC gives ‘One-Time Relaxation’ for distance learning B.Tech degrees

Satya Prakash
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, November 3

Modifying its November 3, 2017, order suspending engineering degrees granted between 2001 and 2005 to all graduates through distance learning, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted ‘One-Time Relaxation’ to such candidates, many of whom were employed in various government departments. 

A Bench of Justice AK Goel and Justice UU Lalit directed them to appear in a test to be conducted by AICTE in May-June 2018.

“All such candidates, who wish to appear at the forthcoming test to be conducted by AICTE in May-June 2018 and who exercise option to appear at the test in terms of the judgment, can retain the degrees in question and all the advantages flowing therefrom till one month after the declaration of the result of such test or till 31.07.2018 whichever is earlier,” the Bench ordered. 

In its November 2017 verdict, the top court had suspended engineering degrees granted between 2001 and 2005 to all graduates through distance learning by JRN Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, Rajasthan (JRN), Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, Rajasthan (IASE) and Allahabad Agricultural Institute, Allahabad and Vinayak Mission Research Foundation (VMRF), Tamil Nadu for want of adherence to statutory guidelines and policies. 

The Bench, however, rejected petitions seeking a general relief for those who had diplomas and later completed B. Tech. through distance learning, saying: “We cannot make any such exception. The infirmity in their degrees is basic and fundamental and cannot be wished away”.

“At the same time, we find some force in their submission that if the suspension of their degrees and all advantages were to apply as indicated in the judgment, the concerned candidates may lose their jobs and even if they were to successfully pass the test, restoration of their jobs and present position would pose some difficulty,” it said, giving ‘One-Time Relaxation’ to those who got Engineering degrees through distance learning. 

The top court said: “This facility is given as one-time exception so that those who have the ability and can pass the test in the first attempt itself should not be put to inconvenience. If the candidates pass in such first attempt, they would be entitled to retain all the advantages”. 

“But if they fail or choose not to appear, the directions in the judgment shall apply, in that the degrees and all advantages shall stand suspended and withdrawn,” it said. 

It clarified that “no more such chances or exceptions will be given or made. They will undoubtedly be entitled to appear on the second occasion in terms of the judgment but this exception shall not apply for such second attempt”. 

“AICTE shall however extend the time to exercise the option to appear at the test suitably,” it added.