APHC010377902025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3327] THURSDAY, THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF NOVEMBER TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K SREENIVASA REDDY WRIT PETITION NO: 19150/2025 Between: 1. ANDHRA PRADESH PRIVATE DEGREE COLLEGE MANAGEMENTS ASSOCIATION, (REG.NO. 7/2022), REP. BY ITS PRESIDENT, P JAYA RAM , PLOT NO. 25, SIVARAMANAGAR, BODILIPURAM, BALAGA (RURAL), SRIKAKULAM. ...PETITIONER A N D 1. THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH, REP. BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI, AMARAVATHI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 2. THE ANDHRA PRADESH STATE COUNCIL FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH REP BY ITS SECRETARY, NILADRI TOWERS 6TH BATTALION ROAD MANGALAGIRI GUNTUR ...RESPONDENT(S): Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue an order, writ or direction, more particularly one in the nature of WRIT OF MANDAMUS declaring the action of the respondents in implementing the online admission process for UG courses for the academic year 2025-26 as per G.O.Ms.No.45 dated 16-07-2025 as arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India Consequently direct the respondents to set aside the said online admission process and devise an alternative system ensuring inclusivity, accessibility, and fairness including both online and offline modes (Re Introduce offline) and to pass SRK, J W.P.No.19150 of 2025 2 IA NO: 1 OF 2025 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the respondents to dispose the representation dated 19.07.2025 made by petitioner pending disposal of the above writ petition in the interest of justice and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. GUNDALA SIVA PRASADA REDDY Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION 2. K RADHIKA The Court made the following: SRK, J W.P.No.19150 of 2025 3 O R D E R Heard the learned counsel for the Writ Petitioner and the learned Government Pleader for Higher Education representing respondent Nos.1 and 2. Perused the entire material available on record. With the consent of both parties, this Writ Petition is disposed of at the stage of admission. 2. This Writ Petition was filed seeking the following relief: “to issue a Writ or order of direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of respondents in implementing the online admission process for UG courses for the Academic Year 2025-2026 as per G.O.Ms.No.45, dated 16.07.2025, as arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently, direct the respondents to set-aside the said online admission process and devise an alternative system ensuring inclusivity, accessibility and fairness including both online and offline modes (Re Introduce offline) and to pass such other order or orders …’ 3. Contents of the affidavit filed by the President of the Writ Petitioner-Association, in brief, are that the petitioner is the Andhra Pradesh Private Degree College Managements Association, bearing Registration No.7/2022. The petitioner filed the present Writ Petition seeking cancellation of online admission SRK, J W.P.No.19150 of 2025 4 process for undergraduate (UG) courses for the Academic Year 2025-2026 initiated pursuant to G.O.Ms.No.45, Higher Education (C.E.) Department, dated 16.07.2025. The online admission process for UG courses implemented by the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) since the Academic Year 2020-2021 resulted in significant delay and complications in the admission timeline, leading to loss of valuable academic time for students. The petitioner made several representations to the Government highlighting the inefficiencies and challenges faced due to this system. Unfortunately, no coercive action has been taken, despite assurances from officials during discussions. However, under the Board of Intermediate Education System, once a student is admitted at the college level, data has to be uploaded promptly and it has to be securely linked with Aadhar and hall-ticket numbers and thereby, eliminating discrepancies. Basing on the data from the last few Academic Years, the implementation of online system has had an adverse impact on student enrollment. Hence, the Writ Petition. 4. When the matter is taken up for hearing, learned Government Pleader for Higher Education representing respondent Nos.1 and 2 would submit that in view of SRK, J W.P.No.19150 of 2025 5 representations received from various associations with regard to delay in admissions and problems associated in implementation of Online Admission Module for Degree Colleges (OAMDC) of APCFSS and keeping in view of the interests of student community at large for admission into various courses, the Government after careful examination of the matter, issued G.O.Ms.No.45, Higher Education (C.E.) Department, dated 16.07.2025, by making certain amendments to the Andhra Pradesh Degree Colleges Online Admission (for Admission of the Students into under Graduate Courses in Arts, Science, Social Sciences, Commerce, Management, Computer Applications, Social Work etc., including Honours) Rules, 2020, of which, Rule 13.1 is amended, inserting the following, - “13.1A Application Process: the application for admissions into under graduate courses i.e., BA., B.Com., B.Sc., etc., offered by the Degree Colleges in the State from the Academic Year 2025, through OAMDC Portal can be submitted in the following manner: a. Student (applicant) can directly submit an application in OAMDC with preference marked for different Degree colleges and Courses for admissions into under graduate courses (or) b. Student can also physically submit individual application for the Degree College concerned at the College premises. The concerned Principals shall receive such applications from the student and enter such SRK, J W.P.No.19150 of 2025 6 application in OAMDC duly giving acknowledgment to the student. c. Aadhar based authentication is compulsory while submitting application directly in OAMDC or physically at the college. d. If a student submits an individual application physically at the college and also submits directly on the OAMDC portal, the college and programmes selected in the physical application submitted at the Degree College shall be treated as his/her first preference. Accordingly, seat allotment shall prioritize these preferences based on merit only.” 5. Learned Government Pleader for Higher Education submits that Rule 13.1A (b) enables that a student can also physically submit individual application for the Degree College concerned at the College premises and after receipt of the same, it shall be entered in OAMDC and further Rule 13.1A (d) enables that if a student submits an individual application physically at the college and also submits directly on the OAMDC portal, the college and programmes selected in the physical application submitted at the Degree College shall be treated as his/her first preference. 6. Recording the same, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. SRK, J W.P.No.19150 of 2025 7 As a sequel thereto, the miscellaneous applications, if any, pending in this Writ Petition shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE K. SREENIVASA REDDY 13th November, 2025. DNB