Madras High Court directs college to admit eligible boys until approval for conversion into an exclusive girls’ college

The petitioner, a social activist, sought a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to admit eligible male students to Dr. Zakir Husain College of Arts and Science, Ilayangudi, during the academic year 2026–2027 and thereafter.

The college had historically admitted both male and female students; according to the petitioner, more than 150 male students had been admitted in each preceding academic year.

During 2025–2026, 603 male and 952 female students were studying in the college.

The college management and its General Body had resolved to convert the institution into an exclusively women’s college and had submitted a proposal for approval, but the proposal had not yet been approved by the competent authorities.

The college nevertheless stated that 13 male students had been admitted during the relevant academic year.

The official respondents stated that two Government Arts and Science Colleges exclusively for male students were located approximately 7 and 10 kilometres away, whereas no exclusive women’s college existed in the vicinity.

Whether the college could deny admission or reject applications from otherwise eligible male students while its proposal to become an exclusively women’s college remained pending approval?

Whether the petitioner was entitled to a direction requiring the college to admit male students for the academic year 2026–2027 and subsequent academic years?

Whether the official respondents should make alternative arrangements for male students if the conversion of the college into an exclusively women’s college was approved?

The Court exercised its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to examine the grievance concerning denial of admission.

It applied the principle that an institution managed by a private management may determine the nature of its courses, student eligibility, staff strength and institutional character, but such decisions are subject to approval by the competent educational authority where approval is legally required.

The Court further held that, until approval is granted for conversion into an exclusively women’s college, an otherwise eligible male student possessing the requisite qualifications cannot be denied admission or have his application rejected solely on the basis of the pending conversion proposal.

The Court recognised the management’s autonomy to decide whether the college should be converted into an exclusively women’s institution, particularly since the conversion could expand educational opportunities for women in the locality.

However, because the proposed conversion had not yet received approval from the Directorate of Collegiate Education, the college could not treat the proposal as having immediate legal effect.

The historical admission of substantial numbers of male students, including 603 male students in 2025–2026, supported the petitioner’s grievance that the admission of only 13 male students represented a substantial reduction.

Accordingly, the Court directed that eligible male applicants must not be denied admission or have their applications rejected until the competent authority approved the conversion proposal.

At the same time, the Court declined to substitute its judgment for that of the Directorate regarding whether the college should ultimately become an exclusively women’s college.

It observed that, if approval were granted, the intake capacity of the two nearby Government colleges for male students should be increased to protect their access to higher education.

The Court did not direct the permanent continuation of co-education or itself decide the validity of the proposed conversion; that decision was left to the Directorate of Collegiate Education.

The writ petition was disposed of on these terms, without costs, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.