WP(C)/3221/2025 of THANU KRISHNA DUTTA AND 26 ORS Vs THE STATE OF ASSAM AND 5 ORS. on 19 July 2026

ORDER

20.07.2026 Heard Mr. A Deka, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. D Mushahary, learned Standing counsel, Department of School Education for the respondents.

2. By way of this writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners are seeking, inter alia, registration of the petitioners’ institutions, namely, (i) Bapuji Higher Secondary School, Biswanath; (ii) Singimari Higher Secondary School, Nagaon; and (iii) Keshab Ram Borah Higher Secondary School, Majuli, on the ‘DARPAN’ portal and a direction to allow the said institutions to conduct admissions to the Higher Secondary First Year class onwards. The petitioners have further sought a direction to the Assam State School Education Department to grant recognition to their institutions.

3. Today, when the matter is called, it is submitted at the Bar that, in respect of all the three schools, the Government has already granted the necessary recognition and allotted the respective school codes. It is further submitted that, insofar as the two schools, namely, Bapuji Higher Secondary School, Biswanath and Singimari Higher Secondary School, Nagaon, are concerned, the requisite steps in terms of the notification dated 05.04.2025 have already been complied with. However, in respect of Keshab Ram Borah Higher Secondary School, Majuli, the requisite steps are presently being undertaken.

4. I have heard the learned counsels for the contending parties and also perused the instructions placed on record.

5. The instruction dated 18.07.2026 issued by the Principal, Keshab Ram Borah Higher Secondary School, Majuli and placed before this Court by the learned Standing Counsel, Department of School Education, indicates that the Director of Secondary Education, Assam, Kahilipara, Guwahati, has been informed by the Principal of the said school that all the requisite steps for registration of its students on the ‘DARPAN’ admission portal for the academic year 2025–2026 are presently being undertaken.

6. It is also observed that, by order dated 25.04.2025, the respondent authorities upgraded the three schools in question. Consequently, they are required to take the necessary steps in accordance with the notification dated 05.04.2025. It is further observed that during the pendency of the present writ petition, the two schools, namely, Bapuji Higher Secondary School, Biswanath and Singimari Higher Secondary School, Nagaon, have already taken the requisite steps as contemplated under the said notification. The necessary steps in respect of Keshab Ram Borah Higher Secondary School, Majuli, are also now being undertaken in terms of the notification dated 05.04.2025.

7. Since the primary grievance of the petitioners regarding registration of students on the ‘DARPAN’ admission portal, insofar as Bapuji Higher Secondary School, Biswanath and Singimari Higher Secondary School, Nagaon are concerned, already stands redressed and the requisite steps for registration of the students of Keshab Ram Borah Higher Secondary School, Majuli are presently being undertaken, I am of the considered view that the instant writ petition can be disposed of, by directing the respondent authorities to complete the registration of the students of Keshab Ram Borah Higher Secondary School, Majuli, on the ‘DARPAN’ admission portal within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

8. Ordered accordingly.

9. Further, any other steps required to be undertaken by the said school in terms of the notification dated 05.04.2025 shall also be completed within the aforesaid period.

10. With the above observations and directions, the instant writ petition, stands allowed and disposed of.

11. The instructions dated 18.07.2026 received in respect of the three schools are taken on record and marked as Exhibits ‘X’, ‘Y’, and ‘Z’, respectively.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant Pranab Kumar Deka Digitally signed by Pranab Kumar Deka Date: 2026.07.20 14:41:33 +05'30'