JUDGMENT :

Dinesh Mehta, J.

1. The present group of writ petitions have been filed by the petitioners, inter alia, challenging action of cancellation of their school admissions on the ground that their caste(s) do not find mention in the list of backward classes issued by the Central Government.

2. As all the writ petitions involve common facts and questions of law, they are being disposed of conjointly. However, for the purpose of narration, facts of SBCWP No. 7473/2020, Harshita vs. Union of India, are being taken into consideration.

3. Before adverting to the case specific facts, it will be apt to adumbrate the features of the schools in question:-

3.1 The Government of India introduced Jawahar Navodaya Vidhyalayas (for short, 'the JNVs') with a view to augment education in line with the National Education Policy, 1986. According to the prospectus issued by the respondents, there are 661 sanctioned Navodaya Vidhyalayas (out of which 636 are functional) spread in 28 States and 7 Union Territories.

3.2 The JNVs are co-educational residential schools fully aided and controlled by the Union of India through an autonomous organization, called 'Navodaya Vidhyalaya Samiti'.

3.3 Admissions to