Student Moves Delhi High Court After Jamia Denies PhD Admission Despite Selection
Selected candidate alleges arbitrary denial of admission to Jamia Millia Islamia’s PhD programme, challenges decision in Delhi HC.
A student has approached the Delhi High Court after being denied admission to a PhD programme at Jamia Millia Islamia, despite being officially selected through the university’s admission process for the 2025–26 academic session.
The petitioner, Salman Saleem, has filed a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, challenging Jamia’s refusal to grant him admission to the PhD programme at the Anwar Jamal Kidwai–Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK-MCRC). He had applied under the UGC-NET exempted category.
According to the petition, Saleem qualified the UGC-NET examination in June 2024 and applied for the PhD programme following Jamia’s admission notification dated October 16, 2025. He was issued an admit card, appeared for the interview, and underwent document verification at multiple stages. His name was later included in the final selection list released on December 19, 2025.
However, when Saleem reported to the university between December 23 and 30 to complete the admission formalities, he was allegedly told orally that he would not be granted admission. University officials reportedly cited the expiry of his UGC-NET qualification as the reason. The petition states that no written order or official communication explaining the rejection was ever provided.
Saleem has argued that neither Jamia’s PhD Ordinance nor the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations specify that the NET qualification must remain valid on the date of admission. He claims his eligibility had already been verified at the time the admission notification was issued and during the selection process.
The petition further states that delays on the part of the university in completing the admission process cannot be used to disadvantage a candidate who was found eligible and selected on merit.
Speaking to Maktoob, Saleem’s counsel, Advocate Syed Kaif Hasan, said the denial of admission was “arbitrary, belated and legally unsustainable.” He added that the university had failed to respond to Saleem’s representations seeking a review of the decision, resulting in what he described as “denial of admission by inaction.”
Hasan also pointed out that Saleem’s research proposal had been approved and a supervisor had already been assigned, indicating that the academic relationship between the student and the institution had effectively been established.
Alleged Violation of Reservation Norms
The petition also raises concerns over alleged violations of reservation norms. It claims that Jamia did not disclose or allocate PhD seats category-wise, as required under Ordinance 6 (VI), thereby affecting transparency in the admission process.
On this issue, Advocate Hasan said the university failed to strictly follow the mandated reservation policy.
Calling the denial of admission arbitrary and unconstitutional, the petition alleges violations of Articles 14, 21, 29 and 30 of the Constitution. It argues that the decision infringes upon Saleem’s right to equality, education, and legitimate academic expectation after being formally selected and assigned a supervisor.
The petitioner has sought the quashing of Jamia’s decision and requested the court to direct the university to grant him admission. The matter is expected to be heard by the Delhi High Court in the coming days.
