SINGHANIA UNIVERSITY vs UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION

Judgment text excerpt

$~73 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment Delivered on: 15.09.2025 + W.P.(C) 2390/2025 & CM APPL. 11280-81/2025, 13286/2025 SINGHANIA UNIVERSITY .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Parag P. Tripathi, Sr. Adv. with Mr. Aslam Ahmed, Mr. Ravi Singhania, Mr. Rohit Jain, Mr. Shabies A. Nabi, Ms. Mishika Bajpai and Mr. Harilal. S., Advs. Versus UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION .....Respondent Through: Mr. Manoj Ranjan Sinha and Mr. Vishal Agrawal, Advs. for UGC. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIKAS MAHAJAN JUDGMENT VIKAS MAHAJAN, J 1. The present petition assails the impugned order No. F.1-4/2023(PS) dated 16.01.2025 whereby the petitioner - „Singhania University‟ [hereinafter „University‟] has been debarred from enrolling scholars under its Ph.D. Programme for the next five years i.e. from academic year 2025-26 to 2029-30, with further direction to immediately discontinue enrolling Ph.D. students. Challenge has also been laid to the public notice of even date whereby prospective students and their parents have been advised not to take admission in Ph.D. programme offered by the University. 2. The case set out in the present petition is that the University has been established under the Singhania University, Pacheri Bari (Jhunjhunu) Act, 2008 and recognised under Section 2(f) of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 [hereinafter „UGC Act‟]. The University has been Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:DEEPAK SINGH W.P.(C) 2390/2025 Page 1 of 30 Signing Date:15.09.2025 21:10:07 offering various academic programmes, including Ph.D. degrees, since its inception. The University has complied with all regulatory requirements as applicable to a State University and has continued to furnish information and clarifications as sought by the respondent/University Grants Commis