Karnataka High Court Allows Students To Submit 2017-18 SC Certificates For CET-2026 Registration, Directs KEA To Accommodate Corrections

"If the Petitioners even now apply to the Competent Authority and furnish the SC Certificate as required in law, within 21 days, this Respondent will accommodate correction of their applications and proceed further in accordance with law," High Court of Karnataka, in a significant order, has permitted students to submit physical copies of their 2017-18 Scheduled Caste (SC) certificates for the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2026 registration.

A division bench comprising Justice Jayant Banerji and Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju molded the relief in favor of the students after the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) agreed to accommodate corrections to their online applications. The Court observed that while the validity of the certificates remains subject to law, the students' interest must be protected to ensure they can participate in the examination process.

The petitioners, three students seeking admission through the CET-2026, challenged a series of government notifications which effectively required them to obtain updated caste certificates classified under new internal reservation categories. Having obtained their SC certificates (specifically under the 'Beda Jangama' category) in 2017-18, the petitioners found themselves unable to register online as eligible candidates under the new requirements. They sought a Writ of Certiorari to quash the impugned notifications issued by the Department of Social Welfare and the KEA.

The primary question before the Court was whether the petitioners could be permitted to register for the CET-2026 examinations using their existing SC certificates from 2017-18. The Court also considered whether the relief could be molded to protect the academic interests of the students without disrupting the overall counseling schedule or violating the notification requirements.

During the proceedings, the petitioners opted to forsake their challenge to the validity of the notifications in light of the submissions made by the Karnataka Examination Authority. The counsel for the petitioners requested the Court to mold the relief, emphasizing that the petitioners are students whose ability to register for the entrance test was at stake.

KEA Submits It Lacks Jurisdiction To Verify Certificate Veracity

The respondent authority, through its statement of objections, clarified that the petitioners had declared their reservation category as SC-'Beda Jangama' based on certificates issued in 2017. The authority contended that it does not possess the jurisdiction or authority to verify the veracity of these certificates. However, it expressed a willingness to allow the students to proceed if they followed specific procedural steps to regularize their applications.

Court Notes Pendency Of Public Interest Litigation

The bench took note of the fact that the impugned notifications were already under challenge in a Public Interest Litigation (Writ Petition No. 200448/2025) pending before a co-ordinate bench. The State government, represented by the Additional Advocate General, informed the Court that several other petitions regarding the implementation of reservation quotas had been tagged with the said PIL.

Provisions For Application Correction And Physical Submission

The Court highlighted the offer made by the KEA to accommodate corrections if the students furnished the required certificates within a stipulated timeframe. The authority cautioned that any unconditional relaxation might lead to similar demands from other students, potentially disrupting the entire counseling schedule and leading to allegations of discrimination.

Directives For Submission Of Physical Applications

Taking the KEA's submission into account, the Court directed the petitioners to submit physical copies of their duly filled applications along with the 2017-18 caste certificates on June 30, 2026. This physical submission serves as a precursor to the formal online updating process.

Strict Timeline For Online Integration Of Certificates

The Court further mandated that the actual uploading of the online forms, along with the requisite caste certificates as prescribed under the Notification dated January 20, 2026, must be completed no later than 21 days from the date of the order. This ensures that the petitioners are brought in line with the current regulatory framework while maintaining their eligibility for the current exam cycle.

Consequences Of Non-Compliance With Timelines

The bench clarified that the failure of the petitioners to submit the forms or the prescribed certificates within the 21-day window would result in the forfeiture of this benefit. In such an event, the respondents are at liberty to proceed with the allotment of seats to other eligible candidates in accordance with the law.

The writ petition was disposed of with these specific directions, providing a procedural bridge for the students to maintain their reservation claims while ensuring the KEA's administrative schedule remains intact. The ruling balances the strict requirements of new reservation notifications with the equitable need to prevent the disqualification of students holding previously valid documentation.

Date of Decision: 29 June 2026