UGC Will Instruct Universities To Commence Admission Process Only After Results Of CBSE, ICSE and State Boards : AG Tells Supreme Court

The Attorney General's assurance came in counter to Senior Counsel Vikas Singh's argument that the delay in announcing the results of the Class XII optional/improvement exam will affect the admission prospects of students.

A vacation bench comprising Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari was hearing a bunch of petitions challenging the cancellation of CBSE/ICSE exams and the assessment scheme formulated by them.

During the course of the hearing, the bench, taking note of Singh's submission, also considered the idea of directing all the Boards to declare results together so that the issue of students losing opportunity due to delay in declaration of results doesn't arise.

At this juncture, the AG responded saying that " The Controller of Exams is here. What he is saying is, after July 31st, the UGC will wait for results from State Boards as well as ICSE and then direct the admissions for professional colleges and give them the signal. The apprehension is not justified as UGC will wait for all Boards"

"Including the written exams?" Singh asked to ascertain whether the assurance will cover the improvisation exams of the CBSE.

"That will depend on Covid" AG replied.

Later during the hearing, a similar grievance was shared by Advocate Abhishek Choudhury, who was appearing for the intervenors(private and second compartment students of CBSE). Due to the uncertainty on the conduct of compartment exams, he said that there is likelihood of college seats getting occupied by regular students from CBSE, ICSE and State Boards.

After the Bench in pursuance of AG's submissions observed that the improvement exams would be conducted between 15th August to 15th September, Choudhary further stated that, in that case, the right of these students to seek admission in higher education should also be reserved.

"The Admission will be on merits, if your result is declared you can seek admission based on that results." the Bench said.

Mr.Choudhary responded saying that the seats will be filled by the regular students.

"Did you hear Mr Attorney? He has said that UGC is going to instruct all Colleges not to begin the process unless the results are declared." Justice Khanwilkar remarked.

After the order was dictated, Senior Adv Vikas Singh asked the Court to record that as stated by Attorney General, the UGC will take into account the second results also without finalizing the admission.

"I've already said that UGC will notify when admission process will be commenced." Justice Khanwilar said.

The bench recorded that the AG has pointed out that UGC will be issuing necessary instructions to ensure admission processes to colleges and universities for further studies should commence after declaration of results by CBSE, ICSE and the state boards.

Case Details

Case Title : Mamta Sharma v Central Board of Secondary Education and others

Click here to read the order