Delhi HC allows JNU to continue admissions based on deprivation points

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A single-judge Bench had, on August 14, directed that admissions based on deprivation points not be finalised and that no further steps be taken until August 24. | Photo Credit: File Photo

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to continue its postgraduate admission process, modifying an earlier order that had put admissions involving “deprivation points” on hold.

A Bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said JNU could proceed with admissions in accordance with its 2026-27 e-prospectus, but clarified that all admissions made under the disputed provisions would remain subject to the outcome of a petition pending before a single-judge Bench.

The single-judge Bench had, on August 14, directed that admissions based on deprivation points not be finalised and that no further steps be taken until August 24. The order followed a petition filed by Amit Mehra, who is seeking admission to a postgraduate course at JNU.

Deprivation points are additional marks awarded to applicants from certain geographically disadvantaged areas.

While hearing JNU’s appeal against the interim order, the court on Tuesday noted that the system of deprivation points has been in place since 1974 and that the single-judge Bench’s direction had effectively brought the university’s ongoing admission process to a halt.

It also pointed out that JNU had issued its e-prospectus for the 2026-27 academic session on April 3, with the admission process beginning on May 25. Classes for postgraduate students admitted in the first round of counselling had already commenced on July 30.

The court questioned the timing of the challenge, observing that the issue could have been raised before the admission process began. It also questioned the basis for stopping admissions without a prima facie finding that the system of deprivation points was illegal.

“Unless some prima facie finding is recorded that for this reason the practice of grant of deprivation points is illegal, how can admission process be stalled?” the Bench said.

The court accordingly directed JNU to proceed with admissions under the existing e-prospectus, including the provisions relating to deprivation points that are under challenge. However, it made clear that such admissions would be subject to the final outcome of the writ petition and directed the single-judge Bench to decide the petition at the earliest.

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