Authorities must determine examination centres for rural students using fair, transparent, and student-friendly policies.

The Petitioner, a Public Participation Committee overseeing a rural government school in Padigaon, challenged the respondent authorities' decision to shift the CGBSE Board Examination centre for Class X and XII students from their home school to a centre located approximately 10 kilometers away

The Petitioner contended that the sudden change, made without prior notice, disproportionately affected students from marginalized, rural, and lower-income backgrounds, particularly girl students and those with disabilities, due to a lack of public transport and financial constraints

During the hearing, the Petitioner’s counsel noted that since the 2026 examinations had already concluded, the prayers for restoration of the specific centre (Relief 10.1 and 10.2) were redundant

Consequently, the Petitioner restricted the plea to Relief 10.3, seeking a direction for the implementation of a student-friendly policy for determining future examination centres

Whether the court should direct the respondent authorities to implement a fair and transparent policy for determining examination centres to prevent hardship for rural and marginalized students in future academic cycles.

The court’s intervention was sought under the principles of Articles 14, 21, and 21-A of the Constitution of India, which safeguard the right to education and protection against arbitrary state action

The court applied the principle of administrative fairness and student welfare in the context of educational accessibility for rural populations

The court noted that the immediate grievances regarding the 2026 examination cycle were moot as the exams had finished

the court acknowledged the validity of the Petitioner’s concerns regarding the logistical and financial hardships faced by students from rural backgrounds when examination centres are placed at significant distances

Instead of adjudicating on the legality of the past change, the court focused on the administrative duty of the District Education Officer to ensure that future planning is "student-friendly"

By directing the authorities to consider the Petitioner’s proposal for a transparent policy, the court sought to balance administrative discretion in centre allocation with the constitutional mandate of making education accessible and equitable for marginalized groups

The court ordered that future examination centres should be decided bearing in mind the convenience of students hailing from rural backgrounds to ensure they do not face undue hardship