The second round of counselling to be conducted by UP Technical University (UPTU) from September 12 for admissions in seats remaining vacant after first round of counselling in private technical institutes has been partially stayed by the Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court.
The order came on the writ petition filed by the UP Technical Institutions Foundation (UPTIF). According to Pankaj Agarwal, secretary, UPTIF, high court has declared valid all the admissions done by private institutes against vacant seats after first round of counselling as per the provisions of government order dated February 26, 2008 and the provisions of paragraph 3.6 of UPTU's State Entrance Examination (SEE) 2008 information brochure.
Agarwal, in a press statement, said that court has also stated that university may conduct second round of counselling for allotment of seats which are still vacant, for which the institutions should provide list of vacant seats and details of students admitted so far to the university latest by September 12. Thus, he said, court has removed all doubts about the validity of admissions granted by private institutions after first round of counselling.

Over 2.5 lakh candidates had appeared in SEE 2008 for admissions in around one lakh seats, which included around 70,500 seats for BTech and remaining for MBA, MCA, BArch and BPharma, in 424 technical institutes affiliated to UPTU. Nearly, 1.5 lakh candidates were declared qualified and called for counselling.
This included 1.25 lakh candidates for admissions in BTech course. Counselling was held in July-August. However, over 20,000 seats, including around 13,000 BTech, remained vacant after first round. UPTU also conducted a special round of counselling for reserved category candidates.
After the first round of counselling, UPTU decided to conduct a second round to fill 20,000 odd vacant seats. It directed all the private colleges to provide details of the vacant seats and invited applications from the candidates interested in taking admission.
However, many colleges filled the seats by conducting admissions on their own. They took plea that as per February 26, 2008 government order, they can fill the seats which remain vacant after counselling. They also said that since UPTU's academic session starts from September 11, they could not wait for the second round of counselling.
"The court decided in the interest of the students who have been granted admissions as per February 26, 2008 government order," said an officer in a private institute. He denied allegations that many of these seats have been filled by private colleges after taking hefty fees (read donations) and in the process, merit was compromised with.
According to rules, colleges can fill only 15 per cent seats on their own under management quota and in remaining seats they have to take admissions through joint entrance test conducted by UPTU. Further, if the seats remain vacant after counselling, colleges can fill them through candidates who appeared in SEE 2008 or AIEEE 2008 or those who have qualified 10 plus two with 60 per cent marks.
But allegations are that some colleges overlooked the process. The UPTU authorities are now in a catch 22 situation. They have to conduct counselling from September 12 but are not aware of the number of seats available. This was not the first time that colleges have overlooked UPTU's order. However, when contacted, UPTU registrar, US Tomar said that HC order will be followed.