WP(C)/25808/2026 of AVEER SINGH Vs UNION OF INDIA on 20 August 2026

ORDER

Order No. 20.08.2026

03.

1. This matter is taken up through hybrid mode.

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

“In view of the above facts and circumstances, it is humbly prayed before the Hon’ble Court that it may be pleased to: i. Issue writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ to quash the decision of the O.P. No.3 to reject the application of the Petitioner for admission through IISER Aptitude Test 2026 (IAT-2026) vide email dated

July 2026(Annexure 1)

ii. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ of direction to the Opposite Party nos.2 and 3 to accept the Class XII examination marksheet of the Petitioner in offline mode or any online mode including email for considering his candidature for admission to IISERs under IAT-2026. Digitally Signed Signed by: SASHIKANT PARIDA Reason: Authentication Location: High Court of Orissa Cuttack Date: 20-Aug-2026 17:10:12 Signature Not Verified iii. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or direction to the Opposite Party nos.2 and 3 to allow the Petitioner to participate in the counselling for taking admission as per his rank in IISERs under IAT- 2026.

iv. Pass any other orders or directions that this Hon’ble Court may deem fit in the interests of justice, equity and good conscience. For this act of kindness, the Petitioner as in duty bound shall every pray.”

3. Heard Mr. Mohanty, learned counsel for the Petitioner, Mr. Gupta, learned counsel for 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 JAC 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.

5. Mr. Mohanty, 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) Sashikant

Judge