WP(C)/28206/2026 of ASHISH RATHORE Vs UNION OF INDIA on 3 September 2026

ORDER

Order No. 03.09.2026

1.

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

2. The Petitioner in this writ petition prays for the following relief:

“The petitioner, therefore, prays that this Hon'ble Court be graciously pleased to issue Rule Nisi calling upon the Opp. Parties to show cause as to why:-

(i) writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ/writs shall not be issued directing the Opp.parties to set aside the decision communicated on 12.08.2026 under Annexure-11, whereby the Petitioner's candidature under the OBC-NCL category was rejected and he was treated as a UR/General candidate and take into consideration the OBC-NCL certificate and OBC-NCL Category Rank of 2,587. of the petitioner and allow him to participate in the counselling process, in the best interest of justice

(ii) If the 0pp. Parties fail to show cause or show insufficient cause the said Rule be made absolute;

(iii) And/or pass any other order(s)/Direction(s) as this Hon'ble Court thinks fit and proper; And for this act of kindness, the petitioner shall as in duty bound ever pray.”

3. Heard Mr. Das, learned counsel for the Petitioner, Mr. Gupta, learned counsel along with Mr. Dey, learned counsel for the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) and the Joint Admission Committee (JAC) and Mr. Kashyap, learned Senior Panel Counsel for Secretary, Ministry of Education-Opposite Party No.1.

4. The issue involved in this writ petition is with regard to uploading of document(s) at the time of submission of the application for admission of different courses at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER). In one hand, learned counsel for the Petitioner submits that the Petitioner had uploaded the document in question within the stipulated period, but on the other hand, Mr. Gupta, learned counsel for Opposite Party Nos.2 and 3, submitted on instruction from the TATA Consultancy Services, who was responsible in maintaining the entire system of admission process including uploading of applications and documents on verification made a declaration that no such document has been uploaded within the stipulated period or even thereafter. Memo with communications of TATA Consultancy filed by

Mr. Dey, learned counsel for Opposite Party Nos.2 and 3, is taken on record

5. Mr. Das, learned counsel for the Petitioner, after a lengthy hearing, submits that the Petitioner is ready and willing to make a representation to take admission, if any seats are available after the entire admission process is over and, in that case, case of the Petitioner may be considered accordingly.

6. In view of such submission, this Court without delving into the merit of the contention raised by the learned counsel for the Petitioner, disposes of the writ petition with a direction that in the event, Petitioner makes a representation with the relevant document(s) to the Chairperson Joint Admission Committee, 2026-Opposite Party No.3, the same shall be considered in accordance with law within a period of seven days therefrom and the result thereof shall be communicated to the Petitioner forthwith.

Urgent certified copy of this order be granted on proper application.

(K.R. Mohapatra)

Judge

(Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo) ms

Judge