$~85 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 4498/2026 MAYANK AND ANR ....Petitioners Through: Mr. Vivek Gurnani, Mr. Kanishk Maurya, Advs.

versus NATIONAL SCHOOL OF DRAMA AND ANR. .....Respondents Through:

Mr. Himanshu Pathak, SPC and Mr. Mohit Gupta, Ms. Rakshita Goyal, G.P., Advs. for R2 CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH

O R D E R

% 07.04.2026 W.P.(C) 4498/2026

1. This is a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayers:-

“a. Issue a writ, order or declaration quashing the impugned Admission Notification dated 17.03.2026 issued by the Respondent no. 1 institute to the extent it prescribes an upper age limit of 30 years.

b. Declare the imposition of any upper age limit for admission to the Diploma Courses being offered by the Respondent no. 1 institute as arbitrary, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution....”

2. For the said reasons, issue notice.

3. Mr. Gupta, learned counsel accepts notice on behalf of the respondent No. 2.

4. Let notice be issued to other respondents through all modes including electronic on the petitioners taking steps within 1 week from today, returnable on 19.08.2026.

CM APPL. 21888/2026

5. This is an application filed under Section 151 of CPC, 1908 seeking interim stay on the impugned notification dated 17.03.2026.

6. The facts are that the respondent No. 1 has issued the impugned notification dated 17.03.2026 which prescribes an upper age limit of 30 years in admission to a diploma course in dramatic arts for the academic session 2026-27.

7. The petitioners in 2025 wrote to the respondent No.1 in this regard but no reply has been received.

8. I am of the view that fixing of the upper age limit for a diploma has no reasonable nexus with the objective it seeks to achieve. Acting is an art that can be developed and refined at any stage of life, it is not bound by any criteria.

9. In view of the above, the notification is prima facie arbitrary unreasonable and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the Constitution of India.

10. For the said reasons, the effect and operation of the condition prescribing upper age limit of 30 years in admission notification dated 17.03.2026 issued by respondent No. 1 shall remain stayed and needless to add that the petitioners will be entitled to apply for the diploma notwithstanding their age.

11. List on 19.08.2026.

JASMEET SINGH, J APRIL 7, 2026/AS