The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a series of petitions filed by 26 Ayurveda Medical Colleges, challenging the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) and seeking additional counselling rounds or an extension of the admission deadline to fill vacant seats. The court, represented by a division bench consisting of Chief Justice P S Dinesh Kumar and T G Shivashankare Gowda, emphasized the disruption to academic schedules that would result from such extensions.
The petitions argued that delays in the inspection process and the issuance of permissions led to a late inclusion in counselling rounds, leaving many seats unfilled. Despite representations to the NCISM seeking an extension of the admission deadline, the requests were not granted. The colleges expressed concerns about their ability to function effectively without proper admissions.
In response, the NCISM contended that unfilled seats could not justify additional counselling rounds, especially considering that classes had already commenced in November 2023. Moreover, it highlighted a lack of interest in Ayurvedic courses, leading to the persistent vacancies. The authority reasoned that extending the admission deadline or conducting further counselling rounds would unlikely significantly alter the situation.
The court’s decision underscores the importance of adhering to academic timelines and balancing institutional needs with maintaining educational standards. It reaffirms the principle that last-minute adjustments to admission processes should not compromise the quality of education or disrupt ongoing academic activities.