Jawaharlal Nehru University v. Amit Mehra & Anr

O R D E R %

18.08.2026 CM APPL. 55328/2026 (Exemption)

¶1Exemption is allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

¶2The Application stands disposed of.

¶3Heard Mr. Karan Prakash, learned Counsel for the Appellant and Mr. Amit Kumar Sheoran, learned Counsel for Respondent No. 1.

¶4This intra court Appeal challenges the order dated 14.08.2026 ("Impugned Order") passed in W.P.(C) 11742/2026 ("Writ Petition"), proceedings of which have been instituted by Respondent No. 1. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

¶5Vide the Impugned Order, the learned Single Judge has directed that the admissions based on Deprivation Points shall not be finalized and no further steps shall be taken on the basis of Deprivation Points qua the admissions in the Appellant – University till the next date of hearing.

¶6The challenge made in the Writ Petition is to Section V of the e-Prospectus for the Academic Session 2026-27 issued by the Appellant – University insofar as it relates to award of Deprivation Points. The e-Prospectus was issued on 03.04.2026. The admission process for the Academic Session 2026-27 started on 25.05.2026. Thereafter, as stated by learned Counsel for the Appellant – University, first round of counselling for admissions ended on 25.06.2026 and even the classes of the students admitted on the basis of earlier round of counselling have also started with effect from 30.07.2026 so far as the admissions to Post Graduate courses in the Appellant – University is concerned.

¶7Respondent No. 1, who is seeking admission in the Appellant – University, is an aspirant of taking admission in a Post Graduate course. He filed the Writ Petition on 01.07.2026 whereafter, the matter came up for the first time before the learned Single Judge on 14.08.2026.

¶8It has been argued by learned Counsel for the Appellant – University that the system of award of Deprivation Points is in force in the Appellant – University since 24.04.1974, as amended from time to time and approved by the appropriate body of the Appellant – University, namely, the Academic Council. It has also been stated by learned Counsel for the Appellant – University that some of the admissions, based on the admission process conducted by the Appellant – University, have already taken place and even the classes have also started. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

¶9Learned Counsel for the Appellant – University further states that in case Respondent No. 1 was aggrieved by the provisions of Section V of e-Prospectus relating to award of Deprivation Points, he ought to have instituted the Writ Petition well within time. It is also the submission of learned Counsel for the Appellant that as a result of the Impugned Order, the entire admission process in the Appellant – University has been put to a halt.

¶10On the other hand, learned Counsel for Respondent No. 1 has opposed the instant Appeal and has submitted that since the publication of the e-Prospectus for the Academic Session 2026-27, Respondent No. 1 has been making representations to the authorities of the Appellant – University. It has further been stated that as a result of application of the system of award of Deprivation Points, the marks obtained by a candidate in Central University Entrance Test (CUET) has almost been rendered nugatory.

¶11Having heard learned Counsel for the Parties and also taking into consideration that the provision of award of Deprivation Points have been in vogue in the Appellant – University, as amended from time to time, since 1974 which has been duly approved by the Academic Council, and further that as a consequence of the Impugned Order, the entire admission process has been put to a halt and that the underlying Writ Petition was filed much after the admission process had begun, we modify the Impugned Order and provide the Appellant – University shall carry on with the admission process as per the provisions in the e-Prospectus, including the provisions which are under challenge in the Writ Petition before the learned Single Judge, however, any admission, hence made, will be subject to the outcome of the Writ Petition. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

¶12We also request the learned Single Judge to hear and conclude the proceedings of the Writ Petition as early as possible.

¶13The Appeal stands disposed of in the aforesaid terms. Pending Applications also stand disposed of. DEVENDRA KUMAR UPADHYAYA, CJ TEJAS KARIA, J AUGUST 18, 2026 ap The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010384672026 + LPA 645/2026, CM APPL. 55329/2026 & CM APPL. 55330/2026 JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY .....Appellant Through: Mr. Karan Prakash, Ms. Deepshikha Kumar and Mr. Om Bali, Advocates. Versus AMIT MEHRA & ANR. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Amit Kumar Sheoran, Mr. Vaibhav Mahal, Mr. Zuber Ali, Ms. Nishi Sharma, Ms. Sakshi and Ms. Nishu Kumari, Advocates for R-1. CORAM: HON'BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJAS KARIA