Despite selection, document verification and supervisor allotment, the research scholar’s enrolment was cancelled orally
NEW DELHI — Jamia Millia Islamia, a university known for its minority character and long academic history, is facing serious allegations of arbitrariness and misuse of power after a UGC-NET qualified Muslim student’s PhD admission was cancelled without any written order, notice, or personal hearing.
The case relates to PhD admissions for the 2025–26 academic session at the Anwar Jamal Kidwai Mass Communication Research Centre (AJK-MCRC). The affected scholar has now moved the Delhi High Court, calling the university’s action illegal, unjust, and against constitutional protections given to minority institutions.
According to details stated in the petition, the student was selected under the UGC-NET Exempt Category and his name appeared in Jamia Millia Islamia’s final PhD selection list released on December 19, 2025. His academic documents were verified by the department, his research proposal was accepted, and a research supervisor was officially allotted.
“I was selected on merit, my documents were checked, my proposal was approved, and a guide was assigned. After all this, my admission was stopped without any letter or reason,” the student said.
The petition claims that the admission was cancelled at the final stage through verbal communication only. No written order was issued, no notice was served, and no opportunity was given to the student to explain his position.
“This is a clear denial of natural justice. I was never told why my admission was being cancelled,” the student stated in his plea.
The student has also raised questions over Jamia Millia Islamia’s handling of Muslim minority reservation in PhD admissions. The petition alleges that the university neither clearly explained nor properly followed minority reservation norms, despite being a constitutionally protected minority institution.
Legal experts say that once a student is selected, verified, and allotted a supervisor, cancelling admission without due process raises serious legal concerns.
“Such actions go against basic administrative fairness. Universities cannot act on oral instructions in matters that affect a student’s academic future,” a senior education lawyer said.
This controversy comes at a time when Jamia Millia Islamia has already been under scrutiny for repeated student protests and complaints of administrative high-handedness. The memory of last year’s tragic death of PhD scholar Narendra Kumar in the Chemistry Department, after alleged harassment by his guide, is still fresh.
“Jamia is slowly becoming unsafe for research scholars. If a qualified student can be thrown out like this, anyone can be next,” said a fellow research student, requesting anonymity.
When contacted, Prof Sabina, Director of AJK-MCRC, did not respond to calls or messages. Attempts to reach Jamia Millia Islamia Registrar Prof Mehtab Alam Rizvi and Media Coordinator Saima Saeed also failed. The registrar’s phone remained busy, and no call-back was received later.
The silence of the university authorities has added to anger among students and academics, many of whom see this case as part of a wider pattern of ignoring Muslim students’ rights within their own minority institution.
“Jamia was built to protect Muslim education. Today, Muslim students are being treated like outsiders,” a senior alumnus said.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter soon. The student hopes the court will restore his admission and send a clear message against arbitrary actions in higher education.
“I only want my right to study. Nothing more,” the student said.
