‘Double’ degrees without UGC nod invalid, says HC

EMPLOYER NOT OBLIGED TO RECOGNISE SUCH DEGREES

‘Double’ degrees without UGC nod invalid, says HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:23.05.2021

Two degrees — one through regular mode and the other through distance mode — obtained simultaneously by students in the same academic year are not valid unless approved by the University Grants Commission, the Madras high court has ruled.

“The issue of whether students can be permitted to pursue two-degree courses simultaneously in the same academic year has been vexed with the UGC for several years… Indisputably, most of the students obtain their second degree through distance education and students are not permitted to undergo a second degree programme formally in the same academic year,” the court said.

A full bench comprising Justice V Bharathidasan, Justice M Dhandapani and Justice P T Asha passed the order while answering a reference as to whether two degrees obtained simultaneously during the same academic year could be considered for employment.

The bench also held that there is no obligation on the part of the employer to recognise such degrees till they are approved by UGC.

In such circumstances, unless simultaneous degrees obtained are recognised by the UGC with the prior approval of the central government, such degrees cannot be considered as recognised degrees as per the provisions of the UGC Act, the bench added. “As of now, the UGC has not recognised pursuing dual degree courses simultaneously during the same academic year. Therefore, till dual degree courses are recognised by the UGC, such degrees conferred by the universities cannot be construed as valid per the provisions of the act,” the judges said.

The reference was made to the full bench following conflicting judgments passed by two division benches on the issue. While a division bench held that the two degrees obtained simultaneously in the same academic year was not recognised, another division bench held that there were no strict rules prohibiting the students to pursue two-degree simultaneously.