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The Delhi High Court has temporarily stopped Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from finalising admissions for the 2026–27 academic session on the basis of its “Deprivation Points” system. The order came in a petition challenging the practice of adding such points to candidates’ CUET scores for admission to postgraduate programmes.
Justice Jasmeet Singh passed the interim order on August 14, 2026, observing that the issue required consideration before admissions were allowed to proceed further on the disputed basis.
Background of the Case
The petitioner, an aspiring postgraduate student, challenged Section V of JNU’s 2026–27 e-Prospectus dealing with Deprivation Points. Under the policy, candidates could receive up to 12 additional points depending on factors including the geographical location of their previous schooling. The prospectus treated each point as equivalent to three marks.
The petition sought removal of the deprivation-point mechanism and asked that admissions and merit lists be prepared on the basis of CUET scores, normalized marks or percentiles without additional regional weightage.
JNU defended the policy, stating that it was based on its institutional policy and was intended to ensure adequate representation of students. Its counsel also relied on the First Schedule of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act, 1966. The Court was told that the Academic Council had considered the issue before the points were granted.
Court’s Observation
Justice Jasmeet Singh was, at the interim stage, not persuaded by JNU’s explanation. The Court noted that awarding deprivation points appeared to alter the marks actually obtained by a candidate in the CUET examination.
The Court observed that the university was effectively adding marks to a candidate’s competitive examination score.
“The sanctity of an entrance exam will no longer remain,” the Court remarked, if an institution could alter scores obtained in a competitive examination through its own ordinances.
The Court also took note of JNU’s submission that offer letters had already been issued to 1,500 postgraduate and 451 undergraduate candidates.
Delhi High Court’s Decision
The Court held that interim protection was necessary because admissions based on deprivation points, if finalised, could create an irreversible situation if the Court later found that such points could not lawfully be granted.
Accordingly, until the next hearing, JNU was directed not to finalise admissions based on Deprivation Points and not to take any further steps concerning admissions on that basis.
The matter was listed for August 24, 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: Amit Mehra v. Jawaharlal Nehru University Through Its Registrar & Anr.
Case Number: W.P.(C) 11742/2026
Judge: Justice Jasmeet Singh
Decision Date: August 14, 2026
