JUDGMENT

V.N. Khare, J.-Leave granted.

2. This group of appeals gives rise to following two questions for our decisions :

(1) Whether, in view of an extraordinary situation having arisen, the Central Government was justified in rejecting the request of the State Government to grant one time increase in admission capacity in Medicine (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS) courses run in various medical colleges located within the State of Maharashtra.

(2) Whether, in view of the facts and circumstances of the case, the High Court in exercise of its power under Article 226 of the Constitution ought to have issued directions to the Central Government to grant one time increase in admission capacity in Medicine (MBBS) and Dentistry (BDS) courses undertaken by various medical colleges (government run as well as private management run colleges) in the State of Maharashtra.

3. The aforesaid questions have arisen in the context of the facts and circumstances stated hereinafter. On 29.4.2001, the Maharashtra Health Sciences Common Entrance Test (hereinafter referred to as MH-CET 2001) was conducted for health sciences courses such as Medicine (MBBS), Dentistry (BDS), Ayu