Authority: High Court of Judicature at Bombay

Order Date: October 7, 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Priyanka Niwas Harpalkar, a member of the Maratha community (non‑creamy layer) seeking SEBC reservation.
  • Respondents: State of Maharashtra and others, including Respondent No.3 State CET Cell and Respondent No.4 College.
  • Proceedings: Writ Petition No.13289 of 2026 filed to quash an email (30 Sept 2026) from the State CET Cell and a letter (30 Sept 2026) from the College that cancelled the petitioner’s admission to the Post‑Graduate Dental Course in Prosthodontics.
  • Background: The petitioner scored 571/960 in NEET‑PG 2026, attaining State Merit Rank 221, and applied under both All‑India and State quotas. She was allotted a seat on 7 Sept 2026 under the SEBC quota and submitted a Caste Certificate (12 June 2019), Caste Validity Certificate (24 June 2019) and Non‑Creamy Layer Certificate (30 June 2026, valid till 31 Mar 2029) to the college, which were accepted.
  • Cancellation Reason: On 29 Sept 2026 the college called for a visit on 30 Sept 2026, alleging the caste documents were invalid because they were issued under the SEBC Act 2018, not the SEBC Act 2024. The State CET Cell echoed this view in an email dated 30 Sept 2026.
  • Petitioner’s Defence: Counsel Ms. Pooja Thorat argued that the documents issued under the 2018 Act remain valid, citing the Supreme Court judgment (5 May 2021) striking down the SEBC Act 2019 and the subsequent enactment of the SEBC Act 2024. She also highlighted a circular dated 4 Sept 2026 issued by Respondent No.1 State, which extended the deadline for submitting Caste Validity Certificates by six months and prohibited admission cancellation for non‑submission.
  • Developments: The petitioner obtained a new Caste Certificate on 1 Oct 2026 under the SEBC Act 2024 and applied for a Caste Validity Certificate on 5 Oct 2026 before the District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee, District Satara.
  • Respondents’ Argument: Counsel for the State CET Cell and the College contended that the 2018 certificates were invalid post‑Supreme Court strike‑down and that the petitioner should have possessed certificates under the 2024 Act before admission could be confirmed.
  • Court’s Findings: The court noted the 4 Sept 2026 circular expressly extends the validity period for Caste Validity Certificates and bars cancellation of admission for non‑submission within that extended period. The petitioner’s new certificate under the 2024 Act and pending verification satisfy the requirements.

Final Outcome

  • a. The email (30 Sept 2026) from Respondent No.3 State CET Cell and the letter (30 Sept 2026) from Respondent No.4 College are quashed and set aside.
  • b. Respondent No.3 State CET Cell and Respondent No.4 College are directed to confirm the petitioner’s admission to the PG Dental Prosthodontics course at Respondent No.4 College.
  • c. Respondent No.1 State shall inform the District Caste Certificate Scrutiny Committee, District Satara of this order; the committee must dispose of the petitioner’s verification application within six months as per the 4 Sept 2026 circular.
  • d. The writ petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms.
  • e. No order as to costs.
  • f. Parties must act on an authenticated copy of this order.

Topics: Reservation Policy, Higher Education Admission