The Central Information Commission (CIC) in Ateet Bansal vs. CPIO, Central Board of Secondary Education[1], directed the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to provide information on the funds collected from the registration of NEET Examinations from the last 5 years and on the allocation of such money by the CBSE.

Furthering the objective of the NEP to recognise the credits acquired in foreign countries for awarding degrees, and the budget announcement to proposing to provide regulatory mechanism to permit dual degrees, joint degrees and twinning arrangements, UGC has proposed framework for Joint, Dual, Twinning Program with Foreign Educational Institution.

The Supreme Court has held that a candidate desirous to pursue MBBS must show that he has primarily if not predominantly, acquired prior knowledge – both theoretical and practical, of senior secondary level in biology or biological sciences, as they are essential stipulated subjects.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade published the Draft Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021 proposing amendments to the Patent Rules, 2003. The Government has invited objections and/or suggestions from the stakeholders for consideration.

The Kerala High Court bench comprising of Justice S Manikumar and Justice AM Shafique decreed numerous directions a suo motu case taken up by the Kerala HC against the rampantly rising drug abuse observed in the youth particularly in schools and colleges in the state.

UGC has issued an invitation for applications for the National Fellowship for Persons with Disabilities from all the eligible candidates for the academic year 2020-2021. Per the notification, the deadline for the applications was set to be 17th of January, 2021, which has now been extended to the 15th of February, 2021.

The Supreme Court, in an order, held that the migration of undergraduate medical student from an unrecognized medical college to a recognized medical college is not permitted as per the Medical Council of India (MCI) Regulations on Graduate Medical Education, 1997.

The Kerala High Court, in a recent judgment, Ashwathy v. Union of India and Ors., held that Persons with Disabilities (PwD) have a right not only to basic education but also to higher education. This judgment came as a response to a case filed by a woman suffering from cerebral palsy who was rejected admission to the MBBS course.

The Supreme Court, in an order dated 2nd February 2021, upheld the decision of the Kerala High Court pronouncing the mandatory requirement of PhD for the post of Assistant Professor as per the AICTE Regulations particularly for any appointments made after 5th March, 2010.

The judgement came further to a complaint filed with Competition Commission of India alleging that the Bar Council of India was indulging in an abuse of its dominant position through Clause 28 of the Rules of Legal Education, 2008 prescribing age limitation for entry into legal education.

Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance, India presented the annual budget and proposed reforms for the fiscal year 2021-2022. To enhance and promote the sector of education visible measures have been undertaken in the Budget.

The Bar Council of India (BCI), has joined hands with KIIT Deemed University to establish the Indian Institute of Law in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. This Institute will basically engage in skill upgradation of the law teaching faculty.

The Allahabad High Court, in a landmark judgment, has held that a student has an inherent fundamental right to change his / her name and to effect necessary changes in the educational records arising out of such change in the name.

Divyang LegaL, a division of RSB LegaL, a full service law firm, specialises in addressing issues relating to DIVYANGJANS ! in achieving their holistic inclusion. In pursuit of its objectives, Divyang LegaL is organizing a webinar on: Rights of Students / Employees with Disabilities and Role of Schools on 27.06.2020 at 4.30 PM

Delhi High Court while hearing a Petition has passed a series of direction

The Delhi High Court taking cognizance of petition by National Federation of the Blind, who have been asked to appear for the Online Examinations of the Delhi University has directed UGC, Central Government and the Delhi University to consider their grievances and find a solution for such blind students.

A Group of Parents have approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court by way of Public Interest Litigation seeking cancellation of the CBSE Class 12th Board Examination to held in July. They have also sought that results of the students be declared on the basis of internal assessment.

Bar Council of India taking cognizance of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic has issued Guidelines for conducting Online Examination for Final Year Students as well as Immediate Semester Students.

Schools collects variable data from students and hence as data fiduciaries they are required to meet certain stringent obligations with respect to data, keeping in mind that any activity of processing data should respect the privacy of the individual at all times. Schools will have to confirm that transparency, accountability and strict mechanisms and processes are in place so as to adhere to various duties and obligations outlined in the Data Law.

In a recent Judgement, Hon’ble Kerala High Court has ruled that Deemed Universities cannot charge fees in excess from the students, which is not mentioned in the prospectus. The High Court directed the Deemed University to refund the excess fee collected from the students.

UGC has asked Universities / Colleges to establish a cell for handling student grievances related to academics, examinations, admissions, fee, online classes, conduct of face to face classes, back papers, etc., during COVID-19 pandemic and notify effectively to the students.

In view of Covid-19 Pandemic , UGC has requested the Institutions to consider the matter regarding payment of annual/semester fee, tuition fee, examination fee, etc. sympathetically and if feasible, may consider offering alternative payment options to students till the situation returns to normal.

In light of the stringent data protection regime that India is likely to see in the near future and the heavy penalties, it would be advisable that schools and educational institutes start ensuring efficient systems and processes regarding their data collection.

In the year 2017, NATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION COUNCIL (NAAC), an autonomous body established by UGC to assess and accredit institutions and the grade the Institute had revised its assessment and accreditation process.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has given a severe blow to the Deemed Universities and passed a restraining order staying admission in Deemed Universities without prior approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).

he University Grants Commission (UGC) after facing several queries on the issue of validity of PhD degrees earned through foreign university for admissions and recruitment in Indian institutions has now come forward with their clarification.

he University Grants Commission (UGC) has now clarified that the potential teachers deemed to be promoted under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) would not need to worry about their leaves as those would not be considered for their promotion purposes.

The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has now in a major incentive to the teaching faculty has paved way for the faculty members teaching at the AICTE-approved institutions to improve their prospects of promotion under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) by opting for some certified online courses.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has finally established the National Testing Agency which will now have the of conducting national examination for Higher Education Institutions, which were until now conducted by other agencies like CBSE, AICTE and others.

The University Grants Commission by making 3rd Amendment in the ODL Regulations in less than 1 year, has relaxed the one of the most stringent parameter of NAAC Accreditation for Universities to impart education in Open and Distance Learning Mode.

The Delhi High Court in a landmark Judgement has declared that UGC Regulations in so far as it permits filling of M.Phil./Ph.D. entirely on the basis of cent percent evaluation of performance in the viva voce process is arbitrary

In a landmark Judgement, the Bombay High Court quashing the Government Circular that private educational Institutions are liable to pay duty has ruled that all kinds of educational Institutions, whether public or private are exempted from paying electricity duty on the consumed energy.

अभिभावकों के एक समूह ने जुलाई में आयोजित होने वाली सीबीएसई कक्षा 12 वीं बोर्ड परीक्षा को रद्द करने की मांग करते हुए जनहित याचिका के माध्यम से माननीय सर्वोच्च न्यायालय का दरवाजा खटखटाया है। उन्होंने यह भी मांग की है कि छात्रों के परिणाम आंतरिक मूल्यांकन के आधार पर घोषित किए जाएं।