IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH SHIMLA CWP No. 1709 of 2008 Decided on: November 3, 2008. Gopal Krishan Petitioner Vs. Himachal Pradesh University Respondent Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice R.B. Misra, Judge. The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surjit Singh, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner : Mr. Pankaj Sharma, Advocate. For the Respondent : Mr. Vinod Thakur, Advocate. Per Surjit Singh, Judge (oral) Petitioner has passed Vishisht Shastri examination, which according to a notification issued by the Himachal Pradesh University, i.e. respondent No. 1 herein, is equivalent to a degree of B.A. Honors with classic. The relevant notification is dated 8.11.2005. Petitioner applied for admission to B.Ed. course in response to an advertisement issued by respondent No. 1, during the Session 2008-2009. His application was returned with the remarks that combination of his subjects in degree course was not, as per eligibility criteria, vide Annexure-P3. He filed this writ petition seeking issuance of a direction to the respondent to accept his application and to consider him for admission to B.Ed. degree course. Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? …2… 2. Respondent in its reply has stated that educational qualification prescribed for admission to B.Ed. degree course in Arts stream is B.A. pass course with English, Hindi or Sanskrit and at least with one of the following subject i.e. History, Economics, Political Sciences, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology and Mathematics or B.A. Honors in English, Hindi or Sanskrit with History, Economics, Political Sciences, Geography, Public Administration, Sociology, Mathematics as subsidiary or additional subject. Petitioner is alleged to be not possessing the requisite qualification. 3. Admittedly, the petitioner is a Vashist Shastri, which according to the aforesaid notification dated 8.11.2005, is equivalent to B.A. Honors with classics. Petitioner has placed on record copy of his result-cum-detailed marks certificate, Annexure-P2, according to which, he has passed Sanskrit as honors subject and in addition to that he has passed Political Science and English, as additional subjects. Thus, he fulfils the eligibility criteria, as regards educational qualification for admission to the B.Ed. degree course. That means, rejection of his application was not justified and is contrary to the respondent’s own rules, prescribing the eligibility criteria. 4. We have been told that admissions based on counselling have taken place last month. Last date of counselling in respect of the candidates, in waiting list, took place on 13th October, 2008. …3… 5. In view of the above stated position, we allow this writ petition and direct the respondent to sponsor the name of petitioner for admission to B.Ed. degree course to one of such colleges, where he would have been admitted, according to his merit, but for wrongful rejection of his application, vide impugned order Annexure-P3, if vacant seat is available. In case, all the seats in the colleges where the petitioner was supposed to have been sponsored for admission, by the respondent, on the basis of his merit, stand filled, he shall be sponsored for admission to some other college, where seats are still available. This direction shall be complied with within a week. Petition stands disposed of. Copy of the judgment be given dasti. (R.B. Misra), J. November 3, 2008(vs) (Surjit Singh), J.