Solomon v. The Commissioner

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 11.06.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR and W.M.P.(MD)No.9849 of 2026 Solomon ... Petitioner vs.

1.The Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, No.18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi.

2.The Deputy Commissioner, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Regional Office, IIT Campus, Chennai 3.The Principal, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, CSIR-CERCI Campus, Karaikudi.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to direct the 1 to 3 Respondents to admit the petitioner's son namely Steve in Balvatika - I under the Right to Education Quota for the academic year 2026-2027 within the time frame fixed by this Court.

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For Petitioner :Mr.N.Jeyaram Sidharth For Respondents :Mr.E.T.Rajendran *****

O R D E R

The petitioner is before this Court seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent to admit his son, namely Steve, to Balvatika-I under the Right to Education (RTE) quota. 2.The petitioner belongs to Service Category-VI in Kendriya Vidyalaya, CSIR-CERC Campus, Karaikudi, for the academic year 2026-2027. According to the petitioner, the online draw of lots conducted for admission lacked transparency and the selection process ought to have been carried out physically in the presence of the parents. 3.The respondents have filed a counter affidavit. It is stated therein that the petitioner's ward falls under Service Category-VI and that the petitioner had correctly applied under the said category, namely, "children from any other category". After receipt of applications, the selection process was conducted through an online randomization 2/6

method (draw of lots) developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), strictly following the prescribed service category priorities. 4.It is further stated that the selection list and waiting list were generated through the online system. Admissions to Balvatika-I were made strictly in accordance with the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Admission Guidelines. Out of the total 40 seats available in Balvatika-I, 10 seats, constituting 25% of the intake, were earmarked under the RTE quota. For the academic year 2026-2027, a total of 437 applications were received for admission to Balvatika-I. 5.The respondents have also stated that all eligible applicants were considered in the online draw of lots conducted on 08.04.2026. In order to ensure transparency, a committee was constituted to monitor the draw of lots. The process was conducted in the presence of the members of the committee, which included a parents' representative. It is further stated that some parents were also present during the proceedings. 3/6

6.The petitioner's ward was placed at Waiting List No.126 under the RTE category, Waiting List No.53 under the OBC-NCL category, and Waiting List No.166 under Service Category-VI. According to the respondents, no vacancy is available to accommodate the petitioner's ward.

7.In view of the categorical stand taken by the respondents that no vacancy is available and that the draw of lots was conducted through the prescribed online process in the presence of the monitoring committee, the allegation of lack of transparency cannot be accepted. 8.In such circumstances, this Court is of the view that the relief sought by the petitioner cannot be granted.

9.Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. 4/6

10.There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petition is closed.

Index :Yes / No 11.06.2026 Internet :Yes / No NCC :Yes / No cmr 5/6

HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

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