Missing Class XI Biology Marksheet Cannot Defeat Merit in NEET Seat Allotment: Rajasthan High Court

The petitioners took NEET-UG 2024. A Stray Vacancy Round was notified on 23.10.2024, with document verification on 28.10.2024 from 9 a.m. to noon (paras 2, 13.2). They produced Class X and XII marksheets but were asked for an affidavit because their Class XI documents did not mention Biology; they had been promoted during the COVID-19 pandemic on a State format listing no subjects (paras 3-4, 13.7). The lead petitioner was on the revised merit list but was left out of the allotment list of 30.10.2024, while lower-ranked respondents 5 and 6 got colleges (paras 4, 13.6, 14). The authorities said a Class XI marksheet showing the relevant subjects was mandatory (para 8).

The Court found that verification was scheduled in great haste during the Deepawali public and office holidays, leaving no reasonable time to obtain a certificate from a school (paras 13.3, 14.1). Applying the computation-of-time rule in Section 10 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, it held that the certificates produced on 31.10.2024 were in time, and that the petitioners had come to Court without delay (para 13.4). Their Class XII marksheets showed Biology, and the authorities failed to justify insisting on a Class XI marksheet saying the same (para 14.2). Earlier counselling rounds had allowed time to furnish documents; this round gave little or none (para 14.3). Following Asha, it held that where the candidate is not at fault and has acted promptly, a cut-off cannot be used as a technical tool to deny admission to a meritorious student (para 14.4). Relying on Pradeep Jain, Dolly Chhanda and S. Krishna Sradha, it held that merit must prevail over technicalities and that an infraction of the rule on submitting proof need not always end a candidature (paras 14.5-14.8). Ramkrishna Medical College and Premsukh were distinguished (paras 14.9-14.10).