NCTE Cannot Penalise Colleges For Its Own Delay In Granting Recognition: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court has ruled that colleges cannot be penalised for procedural delays caused by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) in processing applications for recognition under the Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP).

The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Majilis Arts & Science College, Malappuram, which had applied in May 2024 for recognition to offer the ITEP course for the Academic Year 2025–26. Although the college submitted its application and documents on time and satisfied all requirements, the NCTE issued the final Recognition Order only on 01.05.2025, and marked it for the 2026–27 academic session.

Justice D.K. Singh observed that as per the binding timeline laid down by the Supreme Court in Maa Vaishno Devi Mahila Mahavidyalaya v. State of U.P. (2013) 2 SCC 617, NCTE was required to communicate deficiencies within 45 days and issue recognition by 03 March of the academic year concerned. However, the show cause notice was issued after five months, with no proper explanation offered for the delay.

“When the first respondent/ NCTE itself has not adhered to the timeline prescribed in Maa Vaishnoo Devi Mahila Mahavidyala (supra), the NCTE cannot put the blame on the petitioner College for no fault of theirs,” the Court said.

The NCTE attributed the delay to backlog in meetings and internal administrative changes. However, the Court found this explanation unsatisfactory and held that the recognition granted must apply to the Academic Year 2025–26, not 2026–27.

The Court reiterated that the recognition process must adhere to the strict timeline prescribed by the Supreme Court, failing which the institution cannot be made to suffer.

The court observed that “Statutory bodies are required to be governed effectively and efficiently, and if they are not being governed effectively and efficiently, the Colleges which are seeking recognition and affiliation cannot be made to suffer.”

Thus, the Court allowed the writ petition and directed that the recognition order dated 01.05.2025 shall be treated as valid for the Academic Year 2025–26, and the college shall be included in the list of institutions eligible for admissions under the ITEP scheme.

Case No: WP(C) NO. 17822 OF 2025

Case Title: The Secretary Cum Manager, Majilis Arts and Science College v. National Council for Teacher Education & Anr.

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 341

Counsel for the Petitioner: Advs. Smt.Nisha George, Sri.George Poonthottam (Sr.),Smt.Kavya Varma M. M.

Counsel for the respondent: Adv Dr. Abraham P. Meachinkara, Sc, NCTE

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