Authority: High Court of Odisha at Cuttack

Order Date: 15th October 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: petitioner Franklin Institute of Medical Science, Bhubaneswar; opposite parties State of Odisha & others.
  • Nature of proceeding: Writ petition under Articles 226 & 227 seeking renewal of No Objection Certificate (NOC) for conducting the Master in Public Health (MPH) course for the current academic year.
  • Background: The institute had previously obtained NOC renewals for earlier years. For the present academic year it missed the renewal deadline. The original admission deadline for MPH was 30 September 2026, later extended to 31 October 2026.
  • Earlier precedent: In W.P.(C) No.7990 of 2026, the Court on 13 August 2026 allowed similarly situated institutions to apply for NOC renewal by paying an extra Rs 50,000, with a final application date of 24 August 2026, stating the order was a one‑time measure and would not set precedent.
  • Legal argument: Petitioner's counsel argued that the extension of the admission deadline creates a fresh opportunity to apply, while opposite parties contended that the earlier order was non‑precedential and should not be extended.
  • Supreme Court reference: The Court cited State of Odisha vs. Priyambada Pattanaik, SLP No.10598 of 2024, noting that similar facts justify applying the same terms despite the earlier order’s claim of non‑precedential effect.

Final Outcome

  • The Court, applying the principle of parity, granted the petitioner the same benefit as earlier institutions.
  • The petitioner may submit the NOC renewal application (via e‑Portal or physically) within three days of the order, i.e., on or before 17 October 2026.
  • An additional fee of Rs 60,000 must be deposited over and above the regular fees, reflecting the delayed filing.
  • Upon receipt, the concerned authorities must act in accordance with law and aim to render a decision by 27 October 2026.
  • No further extensions will be entertained beyond the stipulated dates.

Topics: Court Order, NOC Renewal, Higher Education Regulation