Delhi HC Allows Open School Students To Join JEE Mains Counselling After Result Delay

The Delhi High Court has granted interim relief to National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) students who were unable to register for JEE Mains counselling conducted by the Joint Admission Council (JAC) Delhi, as their Class XII results had not been declared.

A bench led by Justice Mahajan was dealing with a plea filed by five students who had qualified JEE (Mains) 2025; however, they were being denied registration because their Class XII results had not been declared yet by NIOS.

"True it is that the students have no control over the declaration of result by the Board conducting Class XII examination nor are they in any way responsible for the delay in declaration of result... they should not get ousted from consideration in the counselling despite having attained good percentile and rank," the court held.

During the course of proceedings, the petitioner-students contended that the delay in the declaration of results is entirely beyond their control. They highlighted that if the admission is denied, they would lose one academic year.

The petitioner-students urged the court to allow them to participate provisionally, with final seat allotment subject to submission of Class XII results.

On the other hand, JAC argued that Class XII marks (overall and subject-wise) are a mandatory eligibility criterion. It was contended that the counselling system is wholly software-driven; in case of any deviation, the whole process will be disrupted.

Importantly, the NIOS also told the court results would take about 3 more weeks to be declared.

Weighing the contentions of all parties involved, the court directed NIOS to declare Class XII results by June 17, 2025.

"Respondent/JAC shall permit the petitioners to register themselves for counselling physically on 02.06.2025, with a condition that seat allotment will be made by JAC to the petitioners only if they are able to furnish the result of Class XII before the declaration of seat allotment result of First Round," the court directed.

The court added that in case results are not declared by June 19, 2025, JAC must allow registration on that day as well,  subject to submission of results before the second round allotment.

Similarly placed students were also extended the same relief.

While parting with the matter, the court directed ,“This order has been passed in the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case and shall not be treated as precedent and the directions will not create any special equities in favour of the petitioners.”

The matter is likely to come up before the court on July 7.

Case Title: AKSHITA SEHRAWAT (MINOR) REPRESENT BY HER FATHER SH. DEEPAK KUMAR versus DELHI TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY (DTU) & ORS