Authority: High Court of Odisha, Cuttack

Order Date: 12 August 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Five nursing institutions – Apekshya College of Nursing and Para Medical Science (Balangir), Rosalia Institute of Nursing (Rourkela), Rosalia Nursing Academy (Balangir), Kalinga College of Nursing (Sambalpur), and Bhadrak Nursing College (Bhadrak). Each filed a writ petition (W.P. (C) Nos. 23837, 23940, 23943, 24335, 25535 of 2026) challenging the rejection of their NOC or renewal of NOC for the academic session 2026‑27.
  • Opposite parties: State of Odisha and other respondents.
  • Counsel for petitioners: Mr. Pritam Kumar Mohanty (Advocate). Counsel for the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET): Mr. Siba Narayan Biswal (Additional Standing Counsel) and Mr. Rajani Chandara Mohanty (Advocate for DMET).
  • Background: Applications for NOC/renewal were rejected on grounds of deficiencies, notably the absence of a fire‑safety certificate, as per notifications dated 27 February 2026 and 9 June 2026.
  • The Court, in an earlier order dated 29 July 2026 (W.P. (C) No. 8757/2026), directed the DMET to seek State Government clarification for reconsideration. The State Government approved the reconsideration, issuing Letter No. 18434/MET dated 10 August 2026, permitting the DMET to reconsider applications provided deficiencies are remedied.
  • The Court noted that the DMET may be allotted 15 days for reconsideration after rectification, but counsel for petitioners suggested a 7‑day window for submission of corrected documents.

Final Outcome

  • The Court disposes of all writ petitions with the following directions:

1. Petitioning institutions must rectify all deficiencies, including submission of the fire‑safety certificate, and submit complete documents to the DMET between 17 August 2026 and 24 August 2026 (both dates inclusive, within official hours).

2. The DMET shall reconsider the applications and render its decision by 11 September 2026.

3. The DMET must publish the direction on its website on 12 August 2026 and publish the outcome of the reconsideration forthwith.

4. Institutions that did not file writ petitions are also eligible to avail this reconsideration opportunity, provided they meet the same deficiency‑rectification requirements.

5. The time period granted shall not be extended under any circumstances.

6. Institutions must cooperate with any inspection or verification required for grant of NOC/renewal.

Topics: Court Order, Nursing Education, NOC Reconsideration