Calcutta High CourtWPA/13696/2022dismissed

Utkalika Sahoo v. Senior Director, University Grants Commission And ORS

2022-07-20Hon'Ble Justice Kausik Chanda2 pages

20.07.2022 Item No. 15 Ct. No. 21 AKG WPA 13696 of 2022 Utkalika Sahoo

Versus

Senior Director, University Grants Commission & Ors. Mr. Arun Kr. Chowdhury, Mr. Partha Chatterjee ...For the Petitioner Mr. Anil Kr. Gupta ...For the U.G.C.

Ms. Sanjukta Ghosh ...For the Union of India This matter was taken up for hearing on July 15, 2022, and July 18, 2022, in order to ascertain whether the petitioner was age barred for the June 2022 -UGCNET-Junior Research Fellowship Examination. Learned advocate for the petitioner refers to Clause 5.4 of the relevant UGC Brochure. According to him, the petitioner was eligible to participate in December, 2021 examination. The date of birth of the petitioner is 6th May 1986. As per Clause 5.4 of the brochure, she was within her age limit. As a Scheduled Caste candidate her age was relaxable in terms of the Regulation.

Admittedly, December, 2021 examination was not held. It has been merged with the next year's June, 2022, examination. The petitioner became age barred for June, 2022 examination in terms of Clause 5.4 of the Brochure. Learned advocate for the petitioner submits that this is the last chance for the petitioner to participate in the

Junior Research Fellowship Examination. If she is not allowed to sit in June, 2022 examination, she will be age barred for all future examinations.

It is an admitted position that no examination was held for December, 2021 cycle, and the said cycle was merged with June, 2022 cycle. The result of merger of the two cycles affects all the candidates who are standing on the same footing with the petitioner. The petitioner cannot be permitted to participate in the examination by this Court by making an exception for her.

Despite being sympathetic to the petitioner, I do not see that there is any scope to grant any relief to the petitioner by this Court.

Accordingly, WPA 13696 of 2022 is disposed of. Let urgent photostat certified copies of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance with all the necessary formalities. (Kausik Chanda, J.)