Delhi High Court allows JNU to continue admitting students based on deprivation points

A Division Bench of the Delhi High Court on Tuesday allowed Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to continue admitting students using "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 had restrained the University from admitting students based on this policy. The judge had 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," Justice Singh had observed.

JNU filed an appeal against this order. Allowing the same, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia observed that the policy of awarding deprivation points has been in vogue in JNU since 1974 and because of the single judge's order, the entire admission process has been put to a halt.

"Accordingly, the University shall carry on with the admission process as per the provisions in the e-prospectus, including the provisions which are under challenge before the single judge. However, any admission hence made will be subject ot the outcome of the writ petition," the Division Bench ordered.

It also requested the single judge to expedite the proceedings and conclude the same as soon as possible.

Justice Jasmeet Singh had 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.

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

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