ForumIAS LATEST
- Prelims Test Series (PTS) for Prelims 2027 starts 11th Oct. 2026 Click Here to know more →
- Ethics Redbook 3rd Edition: A Textbook That Teaches You How to Think Ethically Click Here to Read More →
- 21 Sept. | Forum Residential Coaching (FRC) for UPSC preparation Click Here to know more →
- 21 Sept. | GS Advance Program (GSAP) for UPSC 2027 Mains starts from 10th Oct. Click Here to Read More →
Minority institutions panel gets court relief
Context
NCMEI has jurisdiction to determine minority status: SC
What has happened?
The Supreme Court on Wednesday held that the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) has original jurisdiction to determine which institution should be granted minority status
SC observed
- Constitution granted a fundamental right to all minorities, whether based on religion or language, to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice
- NCMEI Act empowered the Commission “to decide all questions relating to the status of an institution as a minority educational institution and to declare its status as such.”
- The court held that the NCMEI had the power to decide any question that might arise, which relate directly or indirectly, with respect to the status of an institution as a minority educational institution.
At all stages
The Supreme Court held that the NCMEI could declare an establishment as a minority educational institution “at all stages.”
2006 amendments
- Amendments to the NCMEI Act introduced a “sea change” to the Commission’s powers
- The 2006 amendments even conferred powers of appeal against orders of the competent authority to the NCMEI
- A power of cancellation was also vested in the NCMEI to cancel a certificate granted either by an authority or the NCMEI
