Delhi HC dismisses pleas challenging change in KV admission age criteria

Delhi High Court has dismissed the pleas challenging the KV admission age criteria.

KV Admission age criteria: Pleas challenging the fixing of minimum age criteria at six years of age for Class 1 admission to Kendriya Vidyalaya for the upcoming academic session. The petitions which challenged the minimum age criteria of six years contested that the sudden change in the minimum age by Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) was unreasonable and arbitrary.

Justice Rekha Palli, who was deciding on the pleas concerning the KV admission age criteria said, “I am dismissing the petitions,” while adding that the comprehensive order would be available either on Monday or Tuesday.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma who was representing the central government put forward the argument that petitioners had no ‘vested right’ to seek admission to KV and that they would be eligible for admission next year.

Previously, it was argued by the senior advocate that the decision regarding KV admission age criteria was not sudden as it is stipulated in the NEP that was launched in 2020, and that the policy has not been challenged.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma further urged the court not to "interdict" since its decision would have a pan-India impact and promote "heterogeneity" among the youngsters, who would be between the ages of five and seven.

The ASG further stated that 21 states have implemented the six-plus system for class 1, and that because KV is for central government personnel who are relocated from one location to another, consistency in entrance age is required.

(With PTI inputs)