(Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India directing the 1st respondent to consider petitioner case for admission to MBBS Course for the year 2026-2027 under SC Quota, subject to the production of the fresh SC Certificate, by considering petitioner’s representation dated 16.9.2026.)

1. This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the 1st respondent to consider the candidature for admission to the MBBS course for the academic year 2026-2027 under the Scheduled Caste(SC) category and to permit her to participate in the ongoing medical counselling.

2. It is stated that the petitioner belongs to the Scheduled Caste (Adi- Dravidar) Community and completed her schooling in Government Schools in the Union Territory of Puducherry. It is further stated that the petitioner appeared for NEET-UG 2026 and secured 203 marks.

3. It is further averred that the petitioner submitted an application before the 1st respondent on 06.08.2026 under the SC category and uploaded the SC Community Certificate dated 09.06.2025, issued by the competent authority. Thereafter, when a query was raised by the 1st respondent , she had taken steps to obtain a fresh Community Certificate in the prescribed format and thereby approached the 2nd respondent on 18.08.2026. In the meantime, the 1st respondent altered the petitioner’s category in the CENTAC certification status from SC to General with the remark “SC NOT 1964/2002 changed to General”. Consequent to which, her name was not included in the merit list dated 01.09.2026 of the second counselling list dated 11.09.2026.

4. Thereafter, the petitioner made a representation dated 16.09.2026 to the 1st respondent requesting that her candidature be considered under the SC category and that her candidature be kept alive, subject to production and verification of the Community Certificate in the prescribed format.

5. It is averred that the petitioner studied throughout in Government Schools, therefore, her candidature may be considered under the applicable 10% quota. In such circumstances, this writ petition has been filed with the aforesaid prayer.

6. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner belongs to the Schedule Caste Community and that the only impediment is that the certificate uploaded by her was not in the prescribed format. He further submitted that the medical counselling is going on and the petitioner secured 203 marks. Further, he submitted that the petitioner completed her studies throughout in Government Schools and therefore, she is eligible for 10% reserved quota for Government School students for admission to the MBBS course under the SC category and in 10% Government School quota. In view of the above, he prayed for issuance of appropriate directions by this Court.

7. Learned Additional Government Pleader appearing for the respondents submitted that unless the Community Certificate in the prescribed format is produced, the 1st respondent is not in a position to consider the petitioner’s candidature under the SC category, particularly in the absence of the requisite certificate at the time of counselling. He also submitted that the 1st respondent has already informed the petitioner that the subject certificate is not in the prescribed format. He further submitted that seats for the said quota has already been filled in and petitioner’s candidature will be considered, subject to availability of seats in the event, if any direction is issued by this Court. Therefore, he prayed for suitable directions in the above regard.

8. Heard the submissions made by learned counsel on either side and perused the entire records.

9. It is not in dispute that the petitioner had applied under the SC category and had uploaded a Community Certificate. It is also not in dispute that the 1st respondent had raised a query requiring a fresh certificate in the prescribed format and that the petitioner thereafter approached the 2nd respondent for issuance of the requisite fresh certificate, in the prescribed format.

10. At this stage, the grievance of the petitioner is essentially with regard to the opportunity to participate in the ongoing counselling process. The issue requiring consideration is whether the petitioner should be denied such opportunity solely on the ground that the Community Certificate in the prescribed format has not yet been produced.

11. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case, particularly the fact that the petitioner had already claimed, this Court is of the view that the petitioner’s candidature ought not to be foreclosed at this stage solely on account of the format of the certificate, was not produced and without any verification.

12. In view of the above, this Court is inclined to issue following directions :-

                     i) The 1st respondent shall consider the grievance of the petitioner and permit her to participate in the ongoing medical counselling under the SC category in the 10% Government School Quota, subject to production of Community Certificate (Physical copy) along with a copy of this order and fulfilment of all other eligibility requirements. The 1st respondent shall take necessary steps to enable the petitioner to participate in the counselling by tomorrow (26.09.2026) in terms of this order.

                     ii) The petitioner shall approach the 2nd respondent for issuance of fresh Community Certificate by way of an application and the 2nd respondent shall consider the said application in accordance with law and issue the revised community certificate in the prescribed format on or before 30.09.2026. It is made clear that the 2nd respondent shall issue the said certificate, strictly if the petitioner is entitled and in accordance with law.

                     iii) Further, this Court makes it clear that the petitioner’s participation in the counselling pursuant to this order shall not, by itself, confer any vested right to admission. The petitioner’s candidature shall be considered by the 1st respondent in accordance with the applicable rules, eligibility criteria, and availability of seats, subject to verification of the requisite available community certificate and once if it is issued by the 2nd respondent in the prescribed format the same shall be produced before the authorities concerned subsequebntly.

13. With the aforesaid directions, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. Consequently connected miscellaneous petition is closed.