The Delhi High Court has allowed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to persist with its practice of awarding ‘deprivation points’ in the student admission process. This decision was rendered by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia, thereby overriding a previous interim order that suspended this policy.
Background of the Case
Deprivation points are additional marks allocated to students based on the geographic location of their prior education. According to JNU’s 2026–27 prospectus, up to 12 deprivation points can be awarded, with each point translating to an additional 3 marks, potentially adding up to 36 extra marks for eligible candidates. JNU has argued that these points are essential for ensuring a diverse student body representing various regions of India.
Interim Order and Its Reversal
Previously, Justice Jasmeet Singh had issued an interim order on August 14, restraining JNU from implementing the deprivation points policy. Justice Singh expressed concerns that this practice might compromise the integrity of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) by altering students’ scores, thereby undermining the competitive exam’s fairness.
However, the recent ruling by Chief Justice Upadhyaya and Justice Karia overturns this order. The bench noted that the deprivation points system has been a fixture in JNU’s admissions since 1974. They also remarked that the interim order had stalled the entire admission process. The court stated that JNU could proceed with admissions as per the existing prospectus, but any admissions made would remain subject to the final outcome of the legal challenge.
Legal Representation and Further Proceedings
JNU defended its policy by citing the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act, 1966, and highlighted that its academic council had approved the deprivation points after thorough consideration. The University, represented by advocates Karan Prakash, Om Bali, and Deepshikha Kumar, informed the court that they had already issued 1,500 postgraduate and 451 undergraduate offer letters.
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The legal challenge was initiated by Amit Mehra, a student seeking postgraduate admission. Mehra was represented by advocates Amit Kumar, Vaibhav Mahal, Nishi Sharma, Sakshi, and Nishu Kumari. The Division Bench has urged the single judge to expedite the proceedings and reach a conclusion promptly.
