Summary
The High Court directed Punjab to extend specified admission quotas to private medical institutions and increase the government-college sports quota from 1% to 3%. The Supreme Court left the first question open as academic and protected completed admissions, while setting aside the compulsory increase to 3%. The State had consciously fixed 1% under the applicable policy framework, and the court could not prescribe a different percentage by mandamus.
Issues
- Whether the High Court could require a 3% sports quota instead of the State’s chosen 1%.
- Whether the private-institution quota issue required decision after admissions and later policy changes.
Provisions considered
- Article 226, Constitution of IndiaMandamus could not substitute a judicially selected reservation percentage for the conscious State policy decision in this case. (¶¶ 7-9, 10.1)
Held
- The question concerning extension of the specified quotas to private institutions, including management seats, had become academic: admissions for the relevant year had been made under interim directions and later notifications provided such quotas. The underlying legal question was expressly left open. (¶¶ 6-6.1, 10)
- The 2019–2020 admissions made pursuant to the interim order were not to be disturbed on this basis. Individual grievances, including those concerning merit, were not adjudicated and could be pursued separately according to law. (¶¶ 6.1, 10.2)
- Although the general sports policy mentioned 3%, it allowed a department-specific policy, and the State had consciously issued an order fixing 1%. Applying the authorities on enabling reservation provisions and limits on judicial policy-making, the High Court could not require a different percentage by mandamus. (¶ 7-9)
- The direction imposing 3% sports reservation in government medical and dental colleges was quashed. The appeals were allowed on the specified terms without costs, while the separate private-institution question remained open. (¶ 10-11)
Result
Appeals allowed on specified terms; 3% sports-quota direction set aside. Private-institution quota question left open as academic, completed admissions protected and individual remedies preserved. No costs.