Today, On 16th July, The Supreme Court refused to interfere in this year’s KEAM admission process for Kerala engineering, architecture, and medical seats, stating, “It would create uncertainty.” A notice was issued, returnable in four weeks, with counter to be filed.
The Supreme Court heard case challenging a Kerala High Court decision that cancelled the KEAM exam results.
The apex court clarified that it will not intervene in this year’s admission process related to the revised mark list of the Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) entrance exam.
However, the Court has agreed to consider the legal question raised about the authority to modify the formula used to standardize marks from different boards.
nment did plan to appeal but decided against it to avoid affecting the All India Counselling process.
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The High Court had said that the standardisation method, which was mentioned in the original prospectus, was changed midway. The case is being heard by a bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar.
Senior Advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the State of Kerala, explained why the government did not appeal the High Court’s order.
He said,
“We noticed that students from Kerala were at a disadvantage, which is why we chose not to file an appeal.”
He said,
“To be clear, we did intend to appeal but didn’t want to disrupt the AICT process.”
He further pointed out the need to look into deeper issues regarding the performance of Kerala’s students and said,
“It’s also important to examine why Kerala’s students are falling behind—there needs to be a review of the policy itself.”
On the other hand, Advocate Prashant Bhushan appeared for the petitioners and defended the changes made to the standardisation formula. He argued that the changes were not arbitrary but were based on expert advice.
He told the court,
“The change was made based on the expert committee’s recommendations.”
He further said that the court should only interfere when there is proven discrimination, which is not the case here.
He said,
“The court can step in only if there is a clear case of discrimination, which hasn’t been shown here,”
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Bhushan also informed the court that the exam data is handled through computerized systems and both the old and new merit lists are available for review.
“All data is computerized, and both versions of the lists are available.”
After hearing the initial arguments, the Supreme Court said, “We are issuing notice.”
Bhushan requested an early hearing and said,
“My Lords, please list it next week; AICT’s date is August 2.”
However, Justice Narasimha made it clear that the court cannot interfere with this year’s process, as it would cause confusion.
He said,
“We can’t revisit this year it would create uncertainty.”
Bhushan again urged for an early date, warning that delay could hurt the state’s interests,
“Early hearing is needed; otherwise, grave injustice to the state.”
The court has issued a notice, returnable in four weeks, and directed that a counter affidavit be filed in the meantime.
Case Title: Mufeeda P and others v. State of Kerala and others, Diary No. 37302-2025