SC Issues Notices to 6 NLUs on 5% Reservations for PwD Students

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the six National Law Universities (NLUs) of the country to reserve 5% of the seats for specially-abled students. National Law University, Orissa, National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, Maharashtra National Law University, Nagpur, Hidayatullah National Law University Raipur, Maharashtra National Law University Aurangabad are the NLUs that have been issued notices by the supreme court.

The notices regarding the reservation for PwD candidates was issued after a petition was filed by a trainee of a non-profit organization.

However, Justice LN Rao and Justice SA Bobde observed that the benefit of 5% quota may not be possible for the 2018-19 academic year as all the law admissions in these colleges are almost complete. But the petitioner’s advocate stated that in a PIL filed by Shamnad Basheer, the court has already made all admissions as per the reservation quotas for PwD and NRI students subject to the outcome of the respective petition.

Also Read:AmbedkarUniversity Delhi Approves New Bachelor’s Course in Law and Politics

The RPwD Act came into existence on 30th December 2016 stating that all higher education institutes which receive a grant from the government should reserve 5% seats for persons with disabilities. Therefore, as per the petition, the respective act shall be made applicable to CLAT 2018 and shall reflect in 2018-19 academic year.

Also Read: Internship Mandatory for Osmania University Law Students

According to the filed petition, despite the mandate of RPwD Act, many National Law Universities are still not providing 5% reservation for PwD candidates.