Abhay Kumar v. The Indian Statistical Institute And ORS.

D/L- 15 11/06/2026 Ct. No.-19 Aritra WPA 12679 of 2026 Abhay Kumar Vs.

The Indian Statistical Institute & Ors.

Mr. Ankitesh Ojha Mr. Joyjeev Medhi ....for the petitioner Ms. Sayani Roy Chowdhury ....for the respondent no.1 Mr. Arjun Samanta Ms. Anita Sarswat ....for the respondent no.2 This matter was mentioned yesterday (i.e. June 10, 2026) by the learned advocate for the petitioner. Considering the urgency pleaded this matter was directed to be listed today.

Affidavit of service filed in Court today is taken on record.

The petitioner participated in a competitive management entrance examination for admission to the Post Graduate Diploma in Business Analytics (PGDBA) Programme by the Indian Statistical Institute (for short "ISI") being the respondent no.1 herein.

The petitioner was successful in the written examination and, thereafter, asked to appear for the personal interview. Petitioner was successful in the personal interview and was thereafter offered admission to PGDBA Programme (2026-2028). Pursuant to the offer letter dated May 22, 2026, the petitioner deposited the first installment of Rs.1 lakh on May 22, 2026.

The grievance of the petitioner is that the respondent no.1 thereafter published a rectified list of selected candidates for admission to PGDBA Programme (20262028) batch on June 8, 2026. The said rectified list do not contain the name of the petitioner. Being aggrieved, the petitioner has approached this Court.

The learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that after the offer of admission was accepted by the petitioner by depositing the initial installment amount, the respondent no.1 could not have cancelled the candidature of the petitioner. The learned advocate for the petitioner further submits that since the petitioner was offered a seat in PGDBA Programme (2026-2028) by the respondent no.1, the petitioner surrendered his confirmed seat at Management Development Institute, Gurugram on May 27, 2026. He thus submits that for such action on the part of the respondent no.1, the petitioner is on the verge of losing a valuable year in his academic carrier. The learned advocate representing the respondent no.1 submits that after publication of the initial list it came to the notice of the authorities of the respondent no.

1 that some errors have been crept while computing the total score on the basis of which the initial list was published on May 19, 2026. She submits that after rectifying such defects the rectified list was published on June 8, 2026. She further submits that after publication of the rectified list and upon further scrutiny it came to the notice of the respondent no.

candidates who accepted the earlier offer for admission do not find place in the rectified list published on June 8, 2026 and the petitioner is one amongst such left out candidates.

The written instruction filed by the learned advocate for respondent no.1 is taken on record.

She, however, submits that the respondent no.1 is concerned with the academic career of the petitioner, and taking a sympathetic view has decided to allow the petitioner to pursue PGDBA course in ISI for the period 2026-2028, if the petitioner is willing to do so. She also submits that the respondent no.1 shall increase the number of the seats which has been initially advertised for the said course if required. Such submission of the learned advocate for the respondent no.1 is also placed on record.

This Court appreciates the stand taken by the respondent no.1 as reflected in written instruction given to its learned advocate.

In view of the stand taken by the respondent no. 1/ISI that they shall allow the petitioner to pursue the PGDBA Course (2026-2028) at ISI, the grievance of the petitioner stands redressed.

It is recorded that the petitioner shall be allowed to pursue the PGDBA course in 2026-2028 batch at the ISI being the respondent no.1 herein.

Recording such facts, the writ petition stands disposed of.

There will be no order as to costs.

All parties shall act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court. (Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, J.)