SHILPA GORAKH CHAVAN Vs. UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. With the consent of the parties, matter is taken up for final hearing at the stage of admission.

(2.) The petitioner approaches this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India with following prayers:-

(3.) The petitioner contends that she is a student. She has acquired a postgraduate degree i.e. M.Sc. Botany in the year 2018. She was intending to continue her higher studies in the field of Botany. The petitioner further states that she is a National level sportsperson and participated in the events in Rifle Shooting. She has been awarded Silver Medal for her excellence in the game. According to the petitioner, the University failed to conduct Ph.D. Entrance Test (for short 'PET') during the period from 2016 to 2021. Therefore, Vice Chancellor was pleased to grant her admission to Ph.D. as a special case by order dtd. 24/1/2019. Further she was permitted to carry her research under guidance of Dr. Narayan Pandure as research guide. The petitioner joined her course with effect from 22/3/2019. Her joining report is signed by her Guide Dr. Narayan Pandure as well as Head of the Department. The University granted research approval. The communication to that effect was issued by Deputy Registrar, Ph.D. Sec. . The petitioner attended pre-Ph.D. course conducted by UGC in the year 2021 and secured A+ grade with 7.08 CGPA. The petitioner continuously submitted her progress report up till 31/12/2021. The petitioner submitted pre-synopsis for the Ph.D. course in the field of Botany. Thereafter, the petitioner submitted her final synopsis. Thereafter petitioner submitted her Ph.D. thesis to the Department of Botany. She was given a letter for viva-voce scheduled on 14/3/2022 in the University campus. However, viva-voce has been conducted by virtual mode.