Andhra Pradesh High Court Upholds Recognition of National Sports Achievements for Quota Admissions

Court Directs Consideration of National-Level Participation Despite State Association's Lapsed Recognition

The Andhra Pradesh High Court delivered a significant verdict on November 13, 2025, concerning the recognition of sports achievements for admissions under the sports quota. In the case of Krishnamsetty Praneetha v. State of Andhra Pradesh, the court directed the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to consider the petitioner's participation in the Senior National Championship for the year 2024-25 for admission purposes, despite the lack of renewal of the State Level Association's recognition.

The petitioner, Krishnamsetty Praneetha, was initially allotted a lower priority for admission to the MBBS course for the 2025-26 session under the sports quota. This was due to the non-renewal of recognition of the Fencing Association of Andhra Pradesh, which organized the State-Level Championship in which she participated. The association had been recognized until 2024 but failed to renew its recognition for the 2024-25 period.

The court, comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao, emphasized that the achievements of the petitioner at the National Level should not be disregarded simply because the State Level Association did not renew its recognition. The court observed that the purpose of requiring a backup certificate is to ensure the genuineness of the National Level participation, not to invalidate genuine achievements.

The judgment highlighted that the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh must consider the petitioner's case under the sports quota, based on her genuine participation in the Senior National Championship. However, the court also allowed for the subsequent verification of the certificate's authenticity, with the stipulation that if found forged, the admission could be revoked.

This ruling underscores the court's stance on prioritizing genuine national achievements over technical lapses in state-level recognition, reinforcing the principle that legitimate sports achievements should be duly acknowledged in educational admissions.

Bottom Line:

Sports quota admissions - Recognition of Sports Associations and validity of certificates - Participation at National Level Championship cannot be disregarded due to lack of renewal of State Level Association recognition, provided the achievements at the National Level are genuine and verifiable.

Statutory provision(s): National Sports Development Code, Government Order G.O.Rt.No.272, dated 19.09.2019.

Krishnamsetty Praneetha v. State of Andhra Pradesh, (Andhra Pradesh)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2809513