WP/29854/2026 of YAMAVARAPU VARSHIT MUKUND YADAV Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH on 13 October 2026

Reserved for judgment on : 13.10.2026 Date of pronouncement : 14.10.2026 Date of uploading : 14.10.2026 Whether only operative part of the judgment is pronounced or whether full judgment is pronounced

: FULL.

APHC010548142026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI

WRIT PETITION NO: 29854 of 2026

Yamavarapu Varshit Mukund Yadav ...Petitioner Vs. The State of Andhra Pradesh and Others ...Respondent(s) ********** CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 14th October 2026 Present: Advocate for Petitioner: MR. VENKAT SAILENDRA G Advocate(s) for Respondent(s): GP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, GP FOR MEDICAL HEALTH FW, GP FOR YOUTH SERVICES, MR.G SAI NARAYANA RAO, SC for SAAP, MRS.TATA VENKATA SRIDEVI, Standing Counsel for Dr.NTR University of Health Sciences *** ORDER:(per Hon’ble Sri Justice Challa Gunaranjan)

Petitioner is aggrieved by issuance of tentative priority list for the purpose of Admission into MBBS and BDS Courses, 2026-27 (under sports quota), as published by 5th respondent dated 01.10.2026, whereby

case of petitioner was rejected on the ground that backup certificate produced by him in the stream of Kho-Kho sport at State level merely pertained to selection trials, and not championship, thus, was not entitled for any priority on account of participation in 57th Senior National Kho- Kho Championship, 2024–25.

2. Petitioner secured 80,651 rank in NEET UG Examination. He was allotted to Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences on provisional basis. During third round of counseling under sports quota, petitioner is stated to have made application on the strength of his participation in 57th Senior National Kho-Kho Championship, 2024–25 held in Odisha, along with backup certificate of participation in 57th Andhra Pradesh Senior Inter-District (Men and Women) Kho-Kho Championship-cum-selection trials. However, on considering aforesaid certificates, 9th respondent Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (“SAAP”) rejected his candidature under sports quota on the ground that backup certificate produced was not in the stream of championship, rather was mere participation in trials, thus aggrieved, present writ petition is filed.

3. Heard Mr.Venkat Sailendra G., learned counsel for petitioner and Mrs.Tata Venkata Sridevi, learned Standing Counsel for Dr.NTR University of Health Sciences; learned Government Pleader for Medical, Health and Family Welfare and learned Government Pleader for Youth

Services, and Mr.G. Sai Narayana Rao, learned Standing Counsel for SAAP, appearing for respondents.

4. Learned counsel for petitioner contended that impugned action of 9th respondent in not assigning any priority for participation in Senior National Kho-Kho Championship on the basis that petitioner did not possess backup certificate confirming participation at State-level championships is completely erroneous and unjustified, inasmuch as petitioner was permitted to participate at Senior National level only on the basis of his participation at State level. And even the certificate of participation clearly mentioned that it was a State-level Inter-District Championship-cum-Selection Trials. Learned counsel also submitted that two of batch-mates of petitioner, who participated in Senior National Level Championship, were extended benefit of sports quota consideration in employment, thus, 9th respondent cannot deny similar benefit to petitioner, which otherwise would be arbitrary and illegal. It is stated that petitioner has submitted objections in the form of grievance through e-mail, dated 03.10.2026, for reconsideration of petitioner's priority based on the certificates relied on.

5. Learned Standing Counsel appearing for 9th respondent SAAP placed on record written instructions, dated 12.10.2026, which are taken on record subject to just exceptions. Based on said instructions, learned

Standing Counsel submits that backup certificate produced by petitioner does not relate to Senior Inter-District Championship, rather it was mere certificate issued for participation in trials, thus, the same cannot be construed as proper backup certificate. Requirement of producing backup certificate was to ensure past sports performance of respective candidate being conducted and organized at respective State or District levels, thus, certificate produced by petitioner cannot be construed to be a proper backup certificate of his participation at State level, therefore, 9th respondent was justified in not assigning any priority. It is further stated that even for the academic year 2025–26, when petitioner sought to rely on very same certificates, 9th respondent, having considered the same and for the very same reason, no priority was assigned. Insofar as the submission that two of batch-mates of petitioner, who participated in Senior National Level Championship, being bestowed sports quota benefit in employment, in respect of one candidate, as he was recruited in Railways, it is stated the same is outside the purview of 9th respondent, and the other candidate, who was selected under DSC 2025, SAAP has already raised objection, and the matter is now under consideration in a writ petition, thus, urged for dismissal of writ petition.

6. It is not in dispute that petitioner participated in 57th State Senior Inter-District (Men and Women) Kho-Kho Championship-cum-Selection Trials, 2024–25, and the same was duly certified by 11th respondent.

Basing on said participation, petitioner was selected to represent Andhra Pradesh in 57th Senior National Kho-Kho Championship, 2024–25 held at Odisha. Certificate issued in that regard by 10th respondent is also not in dispute. Even in the written instructions furnished by 9th respondent, it is stated that observer from SAAP was deputed to oversee selections undertaken before final team was selected to represent State of Andhra Pradesh. Further, it is stated that observer's report also confirmed petitioner's participation in the said event.

7. Though learned Standing Counsel for SAAP tried to emphasize that certificate evidencing participation at State level was merely of selection trials and not any championship event, we are not impressed with said submission. Inasmuch as final team representing State of Andhra Pradesh, even according to SAAP, was selected and finalized basing on said Championship-cum-Selection Trials held in presence of SAAP observers, and that petitioner admittedly participated in National event, the same do constitute proper backup certificate. The purpose and intent of having backup certificate is to ensure that candidate does not straightaway end up in participating in National event; rather, should have had past record of participation at District and State levels respectively, which in present case duly stands satisfied.

8. We, therefore, see no justification in denying petitioner's backup certificate, merely because the same were not considered for academic year 2025–26, there is no impediment for considering during present academic year, having regard to subsequent achievement of participation at National level.

9. We, therefore, direct SAAP to consider the case of petitioner under sports quota by considering certificate produced by petitioner for 57th Senior National Kho-Kho Championship for the year 2024–25 by granting appropriate priority in terms of applicable government orders in the process of finalization of final priority list. It is open for SAAP to verify genuineness of certificates produced by petitioner in the process of granting admission.

10. Accordingly, writ petition stands disposed of. No order as to costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed.

LISA GILL, CJ CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J

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