NANDITA NARAIN Vs. ST. STEPHENS COLLEGE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is Associate Professor of Mathematics in the Respondent No.1- College (hereinafter referred to as "the College"). Purportedly championing the cause of those who sought to obtain admission to the portals of the College, but failed to do so, the petitioner essentially asserts, in this writ petition, that, against the quota reserved for various categories of applicant-students, the College, this year, has called, for written test and interview, students far less in number than those who were required to be called. As a result, she alleges, the cut-off, for admission against these categories of students, was artificially raised, and fewer students were able to apply, resulting in seats remaining unfilled. It is also alleged that, as against this, in the "Christian Others" (hereinafter referred to as "COTH") category, the number of applicants called for written test and interview were far in excess of those who ought to have been called. Impliedly, therefore, it is sought to be alleged that seats, which were essentially meant to be reserved for special categories, such as Christian and Non-Christian persons with disabilities (hereinafter referred to as "PwD"), Scheduled Tribes, etc., were diverted to the General Category Christian (i.e. "Christian Other"/COTH). Resultantly, the writ petition prays that the Notice, dated 26th June, 2019, whereby the cut-offs, for admission to various courses being conducted by the College, announced, as well as the Corrigendum, thereto, dated 2nd July, 2019, be quashed, and the College be directed to rework and re-notify the cut-off marks for admission against the Christian Schedule Tribe (CST), Christian Others (COTH), Christian Physically Handicapped (CPH) and Non-Christian Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/Physically Handicapped candidates, for participation in the written examination and appearance in the interview to follow thereafter.

(2.) Before us, Mr. Colin Gonsalves, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, submits that the claim, qua applicants belonging to the CPH category, is not being pressed, for the simple reason that there was no such eligible applicant, in the present academic session (2019-2020). The Admission Guidelines

(3.) Admissions, to various courses/quotas, in the College, are governed by Admission Guidelines framed by the College itself. Among the salient features of the Admission Guidelines of the College, governing admissions for the 2019-2020 academic session, may be enlisted the following: