DEEPA SIKAND Vs. PUNJAB UNIVERSITY AND OTHER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The matter here concerns the award of Research Scholarship in the Department of Education of the Panjab University, Chandigarh.

(2.) The Panjab University issued an advertisement (Annexure P/2) inviting applications for the award of Research Scholarship in various departments of the University including the Department of Education. One of the essential qualifications for the award of this Scholarship being the-passing of a National Level test, as mentioned therein. The last date for the receipt of such applications was December 17,1990. Admittedly, Miss Riju Chopra, respondent-4, did not possess this qualification at that time, that is on the last date for the receipt of applications for such awards. She appeared in this test sometime in January 1991 and passed it before the date of the interview and was thus held to be eligible as fulfilling all the requisite qualifications and was consequently selected for the award of the scholarship.

(3.) In a case like the present, unless a contrary intention is expressed, it is to be taken that the candidate must possess the requisite conditions for eligibility before the last date for the receipt of applications. Miss Riju Chopra, not being possessed of such qualifications, at that time, was clearly ineligible for the grant of the Scholarship. Confronted with this situation, counsel for the respondents sought to press in aid, one of the terms of the advertisement, (Annexure P/1), which is reproduced hereunder :-