Section 18. Non-recognition of qualifications in certain cases.

(1) Where after the coming into force of the Act, any institution is established without obtaining the previous permission of the State Government as provided under section 17, no occupational therapy or physiotherapy qualification granted to any student of such institution shall be a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act. (2) Where any institution opens a new or higher course of study or training (including a postgraduate course of study or training) without the previous permission of the State Government as provided under section 17, no qualification granted to any student of such institution on the basis of such study or training shall be a recognised qualification for the purposes of this Act. (3) Where any institution increases its admission capacity in any course of study or training without the previous permission of the State Government as provided under section 17, no occupational therapy or physiotherapy qualification granted to any student of such institution on the basis of the increase in its admission capacity shall be a recognised occupational therapy or physiotherapy qualification for the purposes of this Act. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, the criteria for identifying a student who has been granted a occupational therapy or physiotherapy qualification on the basis of such unauthorised increase in the admission capacity shall be such as may be prescribed.