The court upheld the State's right to modify educational policies, emphasizing limited judicial review in such matters, and found no arbitrariness in replacing a reservation system with a grace marks approach.

ORDER :

Since the issues that arise in the above writ petitions are integrally one and the same, the writ petitions are being disposed of by this common order.

2. Heard Sri S.Sai Kiran, learned counsel for the petitioners, Ms. Sujatha Kurapati, learned Government Pleader for Higher Education appearing for respondent No.1, Sri R.Nagarjuna Reddy, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Health, Medical and Family Welfare appearing for respondent No.2, Ms.L.Pranathi Reddy, learned Senior Standing Counsel for Central Government appearing for respondent Nos.4 to 6, Ms.Ishrath Begum, learned counsel representing Sri T.Sharath, learned Standing Counsel for Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences appearing for respondent No.7 and perused the record.

3. W.P.No.22049 of 2025 has been filed by three students who are members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

4. W.P.No.22854 of 2025 has been filed by another student who is also the member of the NCC.

5. In these writ petitions, the petitioners have challenged the decision of the Telangana State Government to replace 1% horizontal reservation quota for NCC cadets in MBBS/BDS admissions with a system of grace marks added to their NEET- UG scores, which was enacted through G.O.Ms.No.75 dated 04.07.2023.

6. The old policy under G.O.Ms.No.114 dated 05.07.2017, provided a clear 1% reservation for NCC cadets within the horizontal reservation marks for medical admissions.

7. The new policy G.O.Ms.No.75 dated 04.07.2023 abolished the 1% quota and introduced grace marks (3% for NCC ‘B’ Certificate, 5% for camp participation and 7% for participation in Republic Day Camp) to be added to the NEET score of students.

8. The grievance of the petitioners is that the old policy under G.O.Ms.No.114, dated 05.07.2017 which provided for a dedicated 1% quota was more beneficial, than the new system of grace marks which is insufficient and less beneficial.

9. The petitioners seek a writ of mandamus:

i) to set aside the grace marks under G.O.Ms.No.75;

ii) to restore and implement the previous 1% reservation for NCC cadets as per G.O.Ms.No.114 for the current admission cycle (2025-26); and

iii) to direct the respondents to consider their representation dated 30.05.2025.

10. The main contention of the petitioners is that the replacement of assured 1% seat quota with nominal grace marks is arbitrary and violative of principles of equity and it fails to adequately recognise the sacrifices and contributions of the NCC cadets.

11. Core contentions on behalf of the petitioners:

i) Learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that having joined NCC and dedicated significant time and effort based on the existing 1% reservation policy under G.O.Ms.No.114, the students have a legitimate expectation that the said reservation policy would continue. The sudden change in the year 2023 by introduction of G.O.Ms.No.75 unfairly prejudices their prospects in obtaining a seat in MBBS/BDS.

ii) The learned counsel for the petitioners contends that replacement of a concrete 1% quota with a variable and uncertain system of grace marks is arbitrary and irrational. The system of allotment of grace marks fails to adequately recognize the sacrifices and contributions of NCC cadets, inasmuch as the grace marks may not translate into actual admissions in the MBBS/BDS course, unlike a fixed reserved seat as a result of 1% fixed quota.

iii) The learned counsel for the petitioners further contends that the grace marks (3% for NCC 'B' Certificate, 5% for Camp participation, 7% for part