Delhi High Court Protects MBBS Student: Education Right Cannot Be Curtailed Lightly
Court says State must safeguard students’ right to pursue higher education
Cancellation of admission without valid grounds disrupts academic progress, rules Justice Jasmeet Singh
By Our Legal Reporter
New Delhi: January 12, 2026:
In a landmark judgment delivered on January 12, 2026, the Delhi High Court reaffirmed the importance of protecting students’ right to education. The Court granted relief to a medical student whose MBBS admission was cancelled following allegations linked to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak investigation.
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Justice Jasmeet Singh observed that while the right to pursue higher education is not explicitly listed as a fundamental right under Part III of the Constitution, it is a valuable right that cannot be curtailed without strong justification. The Court held that the State has an affirmative obligation to ensure that students are not deprived of their education due to unjustified administrative actions.
Background of the Case
- The student: A NEET-UG 2024 candidate who cleared the exam and secured admission to an MBBS course.
- The Issue: His admission was cancelled after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) began probing alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam.
- CBI’s Stand: The student was not an accused but only a witness in the case.
- High Court’s Intervention: The Court ruled that cancelling his admission was unjustified and disrupted his academic progress.
Court’s Observations
Justice Jasmeet Singh made several key points:
- Education as a Valuable Right: Even if not explicitly a fundamental right, education is essential for personal and professional growth.
- State’s Duty: The government has an affirmative obligation to protect students’ right to pursue higher education.
- No Prima Facie Involvement: Since the student was only a witness and not accused, there was no basis for cancelling his admission.
- Unjustified Grounds: The cancellation disrupted the student’s academic journey on “totally unjustifiable grounds.”
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Why This Case Matters
- For Students: Reinforces that admissions cannot be cancelled arbitrarily.
- For Institutions: Ensures accountability in handling allegations of exam irregularities.
- For Judiciary: Strengthens judicial protection of education rights.
- For Society: Highlights the importance of safeguarding education as a cornerstone of democracy and development.
Wider Implications
Legal experts believe this ruling will:
- Prevent misuse of administrative powers in cancelling admissions.
- Strengthen students’ confidence in the judicial system.
- Encourage reforms in examination and admission processes to ensure fairness.
- Set a precedent for protecting education rights in similar cases across India.
Case Details
- Case Title: Harshit Agrawal v. National Testing Agency
- Court: Delhi High Court
- Judge: Justice Jasmeet Singh
- Date of Judgment: January 12, 2026
- Relief Granted: Student allowed to continue MBBS course
Conclusion
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The Delhi High Court’s ruling is a strong reminder that education is a right that must be protected. By allowing the student to continue his MBBS course, the Court has ensured that unjustified administrative actions do not derail academic progress. This decision will likely serve as a benchmark for future cases involving students’ rights, reinforcing the principle that education cannot be curtailed lightly.
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