IMPORTANT POINT
If a rule has been framed that out of the merit list prepared, preference is to be given for admission in the upper speciality courses to the students of the University in question per se it cannot be held to be arbitrary, unreasonable or violative of Art. 14 of the Constitution.

JUDGMENT

N.P. Singh J.-Leave granted.

2. This appeal had been filed on behalf of the Gujarat University (hereinafter referred to as the university) for setting aside an order dated 30.9.1991, passed by the High Court directing the appellant-university to grant admission to the respondent No.1 (hereinafter referred to as the respondent) in the super speciality course of M.Ch. (Master of Chirurgee) in Onco surgery, in the session which commenced from 1.7.1991.

3. It appears that the appellant-university invited applications for admission to two years super speciality courses of D.M. and M.Ch. commencing from 1.7.1991. An entrance examination was also conducted to select the students for admission in the aforesaid courses. The number of seats in the super speciality courses are very limited, because of which in the rule framed by the appellant-university, it has been provided that the first preference shall be given to the students of the appellant-university. The students from other universities are not denied admission but they have to rank next to the students of the appellant-university. As the respondent aforesaid was denied admission on the ground that he was not a student of the appellant-university, a writ petition was filed on his behalf, before the High Court, which as already stated above was allowed by the impugned order.

4. When the appeal was taken up for hearing, counsel appearing for the parties, informed the Court that this appeal has become infructuous, because on basis of the order passed by the High Court, the respondent was allowed to join the course and he has already completed the course. In this background, this Court is not actually required to examine the grievance made on behalf of the appellant-university in respect of the directions given by the High Court. However, the learned counsel, appearing for the university drew the attention of the Court to the relevant rule for selection of the candidates for admission in the super speciality courses:

" O.M.S. - 16 : Selection for super-specialities courses ( i.e. M.Ch and D.M.).

1. First preference will be given to candidates from Gujarat University. Second preference will be given to candidates from other Universities of Gujarat State. Any vacancy remaining after, this shall remain unfilled.

2. Post-graduate degree qualification i.e. M.D. or M.S. is essential.

3. The Vice-chancellor will arrange thereby examination for the candidates, preferably objective. No practicals will be held. The result of this examination will be sole criterion for admission and decision of the Vice-Chancellor will be final".

The stand of the university in the affidavit in reply filed before the High Court, was that the basis of the admission is merit; only preference is to given to the students of the appellant-university. The High Court has pointed out that students who have passed M.D./M.S. examination either from the appellant-university or from any other university recognised by the appellant-university are eligible for being admitted to the super speciality courses in question, and the clause saying that preference will be given to the students of the appellant-university was violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. In this connection reference was made by the High Court to the judgments of this Court in the cases of Jagdish Saran v. Union of India1, and Pradeep Jain v. Union of India2, where it has been observed that the Court cannot allow excellence to be compromised for any other consideration.

5. Without examining that question in detail it may be pointed out that the aforesaid judgments were not in connection with the admission in super speciality course. At the same time, we reiterate that object of any institution while selecting applicants for admission is to select the best amongst the applicants, regional and other considerations which do not satisfy the test of Article 14 of the Constitution should not affect the merit criteria. But from time to time, th