MANISH KUMAR vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~J * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI % Judgment pronounced on: 25.09.2025 + W.P.(C) 10312/2025, CM APPL. 55857/2025 MANISH KUMAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Sushant Singh, Advocate. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Bhaskar Chhakara, Advocate for R-1 to R-3. + W.P.(C) 11317/2025, CM APPLs. 49859/2025, 51660/2025 VISHAL KUMAR .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Sushant Singh, Advocate. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Bhaskar Chhakara, Advocate for R-1 to R-3. Mr. Shiven Varma, Advocate for R-4 and R-5. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SACHIN DATTA JUDGMENT 1. These petitions raise a common grievance, viz., the denial by the respondents of the petitioners’ applications for scholarships under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme for 2025-26. FACTUAL BACKGROUND IN W.P(C) 11317/2025 2. The petitioner is a 25-year-old student who has secured an W.P.(C) 10312/2025 & W.P.(C) 11317/2025 Page 1 of 13 Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed By:CHINU LUTHRA Signing Date:25.09.2025 16:55:14 unconditional offer to pursue MSc in Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He applied for financial assistance under the National Overseas Scholarship (NOS) Scheme 2025-26, administered by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is his case that despite fulfilling all eligibility criteria – age, caste, academic merit, and family income (well below the Rs. 8 lakh threshold) his name appeared in the rejected list dated 01.07.2025 at Serial No. 204, with the reason cited as “Income Certificate of valid FY not furnished”. 3. It is submitted that the petitioner furnished a valid Income Certificate issued on 21.04.2025 by the Revenue Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, Office of the District Magistrat