AKSHANSH GUPTA Vs. DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The precise grievance of the petitioner is that the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India (Respondent No. 1 herein) has, in its Advertisement inviting applications from candidates for its INSPIRE Faculty Award, January-2018 (Session-I) (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) programme, not provided for age relaxation for candidates suffering from benchmark disabilities, of which the petitioner claims to be one. This, the petitioner asserts, violates Section 32(2) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (hereinafter referred to as the RPWD Act). Needless to say, the petitioner being overage, has been unable to apply for the said programme.

(2.) The petitioner was 34 years of age, as on the date of filing the writ petition.

(3.) The INSPIRE programme was launched, by Respondent No.1, in 2008, and aims at attracting talent for the study of science and careers involving research. Under the said programme, contractual research awards are to be granted, to young achievers, so that they can emerge as future leaders in the long term. A Ph.D, in science, mathematics, engineering, pharmacy, medicine, or agriculture related subjects, is necessary, to enable one to apply for the award. The stipulation regarding age, as contained in the conditions governing Eligibility, as set out in the 14th Advertisement for the programme (hereinafter referred to as the Advertisement), as published by Respondent No. 1 (in response whereto the petitioner desires to apply) reads thus: