Court emphasizes adherence to NCTE Regulations 2014 and Supreme Court's binding admission timeline; denies compensation claims for vacant seats
In a significant judgment dated October 9, 2026, the Punjab and Haryana High Court (Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor) dismissed the plea filed by the Haryana Self Finance Private Colleges Association and its President seeking extension of the cut-off date for admissions to the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.) course for the academic session 2026-28. The petitioners had also sought permission for private colleges to fill vacant seats on their own merit basis and alternatively claimed compensation for financial losses due to unfilled seats.
The petitioners contended that the admission schedule was adversely affected due to delayed declaration of 10+2 examination results by various Boards including the Haryana School Education Board, CBSE, and Punjab School Education Board. They argued that the late declaration curtailed the opportunity for eligible candidates to apply timely, resulting in a large number of vacant seats (approximately 12,500 out of 18,850 seats). They urged the court to extend the last date for admissions until October 30, 2026, or allow direct admission by private colleges, citing earlier instances where admissions were conducted beyond prescribed dates.
However, the High Court rejected these contentions, underscoring the mandatory provisions under the National Council for Teacher Education (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2014 ("2014 Regulations") framed under the National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993. The Court emphasized the importance of maintaining academic rigor, including the minimum requirement of 200 working days each year, 80% attendance for coursework, and 90% attendance for school internships, which are critical for quality teacher education.
The Court noted that the admission schedule for the D.El.Ed. course must conform strictly to the binding directions of the Supreme Court laid down in the landmark case of Maa Vaishno Devi Mahila Mahavidyalaya v. State of U.P. (2013) 2 SCC 617, which fixed the cut-off date for admissions and commencement of academic sessions. Any deviation or extension beyond this schedule was held impermissible and could invite contempt proceedings.
Further, the Court observed that the State Council of Educational Research & Training (SCERT), Haryana, had substantially complied with the prescribed schedule for the 2026-28 session by extending the last date for submission of applications once, conducting multiple counseling rounds, and ensuring commencement of the academic session by July 1, 2026. The Court rejected the petitioners' assertion that the colleges could compensate for vacant seats by admitting students beyond the cut-off date, clarifying that private institutions do not have the right to conduct admissions independently outside the State-approved schedule.
Regarding the petitioners' claim for compensation for financial losses due to vacant seats, the Court found no merit and refused to entertain such claims. It held that adherence to the prescribed admission schedule and regulatory framework by the State cannot be penalized. The Court reiterated that the interest of quality elementary education and maintenance of standards must prevail over financial considerations of private colleges.
The judgment also directed the State Government of Haryana to ensure timely publication of the admission policy for the D.El.Ed. course well before the commencement of the academic year, in strict compliance with the Supreme Court's directions, to avoid such disputes in the future.
The High Court dismissed the writ petition with no order as to costs and reaffirmed that any admission process beyond the prescribed cut-off date would be contrary to law and liable to be treated as contempt of court.
Bottom Line:
Education - D.El.Ed. admissions - Cut-off date for admission cannot be extended merely because large number of seats in private self-financing colleges remained vacant - Mandatory NCTE Regulations, 2014 requiring 200 working days, prescribed attendance and school internship must prevail over financial loss to colleges - Private colleges cannot claim right to make admissions on their own beyond scheduled date - No compensation payable.
Statutory provision(s):
National Council for Teacher Education Act, 1993 Section 32, National Council for Teacher Education (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2014 Appendix 2 Clause 3.3, Constitution of India, 1950 Article 141, Constitution of India, 1950 Article 226
