Atharva cleared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) twice, scoring an impressive 530 marks. However, despite qualifying on merit, he was repeatedly denied admission to private medical colleges under the EWS quota.

The reason was not academic performance but administrative delay. The Madhya Pradesh government had failed to issue the necessary reservation notification on time, effectively blocking eligible students from claiming EWS benefits.

For Atharva, months of uncertainty followed — but he refused to give up.

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Fighting Alone in Court

In an extraordinary move, Atharva chose to represent himself in court proceedings without engaging a lawyer. After approaching the High Court without success, he moved the Supreme Court.

During an online hearing in February, he directly addressed Justice Suryakant, requesting just 10 minutes to present his case. His clarity and conviction reportedly impressed the bench.

The judges observed that meritorious students should not suffer due to policy lapses or bureaucratic delays.

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Article 142 Powers Come into Play

Initially, the court indicated that the plea may not be maintainable for direct admission claims. However, invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution — which allows the court to ensure “complete justice” — the bench intervened.

Led by Justice Suryakant, the court ruled that administrative inefficiency cannot deprive qualified candidates of their rights.

The bench directed the Madhya Pradesh government and the National Medical Commission to grant Atharva provisional admission for the 2025–26 academic session and allocate him a medical college within seven days.

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A Ray of Hope for Students

The ruling is being seen as a significant precedent for students facing similar bureaucratic hurdles across the country. Legal experts believe the judgment reinforces the principle that governance failures should not penalize deserving aspirants.

For Atharva, the verdict marks the beginning of a long-awaited medical journey. For thousands of students navigating complex admission systems, it stands as a reminder that perseverance — combined with constitutional safeguards — can overcome even the most daunting institutional obstacles.

His story is now being hailed as an inspiring example of determination, courage, and faith in the judicial system.