Adherence to the conditions in the prospectus and registration documents regarding the validity of documents and timelines is crucial, and no relaxation can be granted in favor of a particular candidate to the exclusion of others who are similarly placed.

JUDGMENT

Prateek Jalan, J. - The petitioner completed the B.Sc. (Hons.) Botany degree from Swami Shardhanand College, Alipur, Delhi. He thereafter sought admission in the All India Institute of Medical Science ("AIIMS") (respondent no. 1) for an M.Sc. degree in Reproductive Biology and Clinical Embryology. The petitioner's application was in the category of Other Backward Classes Non-Creamy Layer ("OBC-NCL").

2. The petitioner's grievances in this writ petition are two-fold: -

a) That his OBC certificate dated 17.10.2020 be accepted for admission in AIIMS in the aforesaid category;

b) That time be extended for him to submit his marksheet and certificate for final year of B.Sc. (Hons) Botany.

3. I have heard Mr. D. B. Yadav, learned counsel for the petitioner, and Dr. Harsh Pathak, learned counsel for AIIMS.

4. The aforementioned course was first advertised by AIIMS by way of an advertisement dated 07.12.2019 in which the qualifying criteria and the time schedule for registration of applications was laid down. Pursuant to the aforesaid advertisement, a prospectus was issued on 13.03.2020. The petitioner applied for admission in the aforesaid course and participated in the entrance examination. He was allotted a seat under the OBC category, subject to satisfying the eligibility conditions laid down in the prospectus.

5. At the time of verification of his documents, however, it was found that the petitioner did not qualify as he did not have an OBC certificate issued during the period specified in the prospectus. The relevant condition laid down in the prospectus is reproduced below:-

"(v). The candidature of the above candidates is subject to satisfying the eligibility conditions as laid down in the Prospectus and verification of the documents/information furnished in their application forms and the verification of original certificates/documents at the time of reporting time.

(ix). The validity of OBC (NCL)/EWS certificate shall be 16.04.2019 to 21.08.2020 (both date inclusive). Certificate issued within this period shall be accepted only. Those candidates who are found not eligible for OBC (NCL)/EWS seat on the basis of verification of respective certificates, shall be treated as UR in their rank is within the cut-off rank for UR Merit List, or will NOT be considered to be in this list if rank is beyond the cutoff rank for UR Merit List."

6. It is undisputed that the petitioner had produced a caste certificate dated 03.07.2017. A copy of the aforesaid certificate is annexed as Annexure P-6 to the writ petition. AIIMS did not accept this certificate as it was not issued by the competent authorities between 16.04.2019 and 15.04.2020.

7. Mr. Yadav submits that the aforesaid condition has itself been done away with by AIIMS while issuing the result of the entrance test. He refers me to the clause 6 (ix) of the letter dated 05.10.2020 by which the result was communicated to the petitioner. The relevant extracts from the said letter are as follows: -

"5. The candidature of the above candidates is subject to satisfying the eligibility conditions as laid down in the Prospectus and verification of the documents / information furnished in their application forms and the verification of original certificates/documents at the time of reporting time.

6. The above candidates are required to bring in original with one set of photo copy of following documents on or before date as mentioned at Point No.

1 above:- xxxx xxxx xxxx

(vi) Relevant degree of Certificate of the recognized University showing fulfilment of eligibility. Proof of passing the qualifying examination on or before 31st August, 2020 with requisite percentage of marks and subjects failing which their performance at the Entrance Examination will not be considered.

(vii) Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/EWS category (applicable only if mentioned in the application form) are required to bring the copy of the relevant certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed form as appe