Delhi High Court restrains JNU from admitting students based on deprivation points

The Delhi High Court has restrained Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) from finalising admissions to its postgraduate courses based on "deprivation points".

Deprivation points are additional marks awarded to candidates based on the geographical location of their previous schooling. JNU's 2026–27 prospectus provides for up to 12 deprivation points. Each point is equivalent to 3 marks, meaning a candidate could effectively receive up to 36 additional marks.

According to JNU, the awarding of deprivation points is based on its policy to ensure an adequate number of students from different regions of the country.

In an interim order passed on August 14, Justice Jasmeet Singh observed that through deprivation points, JNU has altered the marks obtained by students in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET).

"If this is permitted, the sanctity of an entrance exam will no longer remain and a university through ordinances will be able to alter the score obtained by a candidate in a competitive exam. That is antithesis to the whole concept of a competitive exam," the Court observed.

Therefore, it restrained the University from finalising admissions.

"Hence, till the next date of hearing, the admissions based on deprivation points shall not be finalized and no further steps will be taken on the basis of deprivation points qua the admission in respondent university," the Court ordered.

It then listed the case for further hearing on August 24.

JNU has filed an appeal against this order. The plea was mentioned by advocate Karan Prakash for urgent hearing, and the High Court has agreed to hear the matter on August 18.

Justice Jasmeet Singh passed his interim orders on a plea filed by Amit Mehra, a student who applied for postgraduate admissions to JNU.

JNU defended the policy, stating that the deprivation points were based on its policy of ensuring adequate representation of students and relied on provisions of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Act, 1966. The University also told the court that the academic council had considered and approved the grant of deprivation points after due deliberation.

The Court was also informed that the University had already issued 1,500 postgraduate and 451 undergraduate offer letters.

The High Court, however, said it was prima facie unable to agree with JNU’s submissions.

It held that if admissions were finalised based on deprivation points and the court subsequently found the practice impermissible, the situation could become irreversible.

Advocates Amit Kumar, Vaibhav Mahal, Nishi Sharma, Sakshi and Nishu Kumari appeared for petitioner Amit Mehra.

JNU was represented through advocates Karan Prakash, Om Bali and Deepshikha Kumar.

[Read Order]