Supreme Court Considers Transfer of CLAT 2025 Cases to a Single High Court: What It Means for Aspirants

The Supreme Court of India, on Wednesday, took a significant step toward resolving the legal challenges surrounding the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025 results. Acknowledging the urgency and importance of the matter, the apex court expressed its preliminary inclination to transfer all related cases pending in various High Courts to one single High Court. This decision is expected to streamline the legal process, avoid contradictory judgments, and expedite the resolution of disputes.

In this article, we’ll delve into the implications of this development, the background of the case, and what it means for CLAT 2025 aspirants.

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Background of the CLAT 2025 Legal Disputes

CLAT is the gateway for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) admissions to the prestigious National Law Universities (NLUs) across India. However, the 2025 edition of the exam has been marred by allegations of errors in the question paper and answer keys, leading to multiple legal challenges.

Petitions have been filed across High Courts, including Delhi, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Bombay, raising concerns over incorrect questions and answer keys. Aspirants have sought judicial intervention to ensure fairness and accuracy in the evaluation process.

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Supreme Court’s Stand on the Matter

Decision to Transfer Cases to a Single High Court

The Supreme Court Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, clarified its preference to transfer all pending cases to a single High Court rather than hearing them under Article 32. The Bench observed that consolidating the cases would help ensure consistent and expedited adjudication.

CJI Khanna remarked, “We can’t take it here, we already rejected under Article 32. We will send you to a High Court.”

This move is aimed at preventing conflicting judgments from different High Courts, which could further complicate the situation for aspirants and the Consortium of NLUs.

Potential High Courts for Case Transfer

The Supreme Court discussed three High Courts as possible venues for the consolidated hearing:

1. Karnataka High Court: The Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, representing the NLU Consortium, suggested transferring the cases to the Karnataka High Court in Bangalore.
2. Punjab and Haryana High Court: The Court noted that the first petition on this issue was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
3. Delhi High Court: Some counsels proposed the Delhi High Court, as it has already passed a judgment on the matter and is currently handling appeals related to it.

The Bench deferred its decision on the specific High Court to handle the cases and will decide during the next hearing scheduled for February 3.

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Key Legal Arguments in the CLAT Disputes

Errors in Question Paper and Answer Keys

The petitions filed by CLAT aspirants point to alleged errors in the UG and PG question papers. For instance:

• In the UG exam, the Delhi High Court identified clear errors in two questions flagged by a 17-year-old petitioner, Aditya.
• The petitioner argued that there were blatant mistakes in three additional questions, which the single-judge Bench did not address.

Similarly, the PG exam results are under challenge in the Madhya Pradesh and Bombay High Courts due to disputes over the accuracy of the answer keys.

Judicial Oversight in Academic Matters

The NLU Consortium has argued that courts should refrain from intervening in academic matters, especially when questions and answers are finalized by subject-matter experts. However, the Supreme Court noted that courts have the authority to interfere when errors are “clearly wrong.”

The single-judge Bench of the Delhi High Court, in its ruling on December 20, emphasized that judicial intervention is justified when aspirants’ rights are affected by such errors.

Conflicting Judgments Across High Courts

Different High Courts have taken varied stances on the CLAT 2025 disputes. For example:

• The Madhya Pradesh and Bombay High Courts have stated that the outcome of the petitions will govern the results.
• Other High Courts have not issued similar directions, leading to potential inconsistencies in the resolution of these cases.

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Implications of the Supreme Court’s Decision

For Aspirants

The transfer of cases to a single High Court is likely to bring much-needed clarity and consistency to the CLAT 2025 results. Aspirants who have been anxiously awaiting resolution can expect a faster and more uniform judgment on their grievances.

For the NLU Consortium

The decision underscores the accountability of the NLU Consortium in maintaining transparency and accuracy in the examination process. It also highlights the need for robust mechanisms to address grievances effectively and avoid similar disputes in the future.

For the Judiciary

The Supreme Court’s decision reflects its commitment to streamlining the judicial process and avoiding conflicting judgments. It also reaffirms the judiciary’s role in safeguarding the rights of students in critical academic matters.

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What Lies Ahead?

Next Hearing on February 3

The Supreme Court has issued notices to all respondents and scheduled the next hearing for February 3. During this hearing, the Court is expected to finalize the High Court that will handle the consolidated cases.

Revised Results and Further Challenges

If errors in the question paper and answer keys are confirmed, the NLU Consortium may need to issue revised results. This could lead to further challenges from affected candidates, underscoring the importance of a fair and transparent resolution process.

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Conclusion

The Supreme Court’s decision to transfer CLAT 2025-related cases to a single High Court marks a significant step in addressing the concerns of aspirants and ensuring consistency in the judicial process. While the final resolution is still pending, this move offers hope for a timely and equitable outcome.

For CLAT aspirants, this development highlights the importance of vigilance and advocacy in safeguarding their rights. It also serves as a reminder for the NLU Consortium to prioritize transparency and accuracy in conducting one of India’s most prestigious entrance exams.

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