The Court refuses to reopen the counselling process for Aryaman Nursing College, emphasizing the sanctity of statutory timelines and academic schedules.
In a significant ruling, the Rajasthan High Court has dismissed the plea filed by Aryaman Nursing College and other newly established nursing institutions seeking inclusion in the centralized counselling process for the B.Sc. Nursing Course for the Academic Session 2025-26. The division bench, comprising Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Sandeep Shah, emphasized that the sanctity of academic schedules and counselling timelines must be preserved to maintain educational standards.
The petitioners, including Aryaman Nursing College, had sought directions to participate in the counselling process conducted by the Rajasthan University of Health Sciences (RUHS) despite obtaining statutory approvals after the conclusion of the counselling rounds. The Court, however, held that once the counselling process has concluded in accordance with the notified schedule, it cannot be reopened to accommodate late approvals.
The judgment stated that the statutory framework governing nursing education mandates strict adherence to the counselling schedule, which is structured and time-bound. The bench highlighted that the right to establish an institution does not equate to a right to demand student allotment for a concluded academic session.
The Court also rejected the plea for extending the cut-off date for admissions, noting that such dates are fixed by the Indian Nursing Council and cannot be altered by the courts. It underscored the importance of maintaining academic discipline and preventing disruptions to the academic schedule.
While dismissing the petitions, the Court issued a prospective direction for future academic sessions, instructing authorities to decide on applications for No Objection Certificates at least 45 days before the first round of counselling. This directive aims to ensure that procedural delays do not prejudice bona fide institutions in future sessions.
The ruling reaffirms the Court’s commitment to uphold regulatory timelines and academic integrity, setting a precedent for educational institutions seeking to navigate the statutory framework governing professional courses.
Bottom Line:
Educational Institutions - Non-inclusion of petitioner-institutions in centralized counselling due to delay in obtaining statutory approvals - Held, counselling process cannot be reopened after its conclusion, as it is structured, time-bound, and regulated under statutory framework - Institutions obtaining approvals post conclusion of counselling cannot claim inclusion in same session - Courts cannot tinker with cut-off dates or academic schedules.
Statutory provision(s): Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Rajasthan University of Health Sciences Act, Indian Nursing Council regulations.
