Kerala High Court Rejects Plea Against Withdrawal Of Twin Girls' Admission Benefit In Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas rejected the petitioners' argument that the discontinuation of the scheme, that treated twin children as a single admission, with effect from 2022-23 was arbitrary and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution.

The petitioners before the Court were an employee of Indian Railways and one of his twin girl children. Though the first petitioner had applied in Kendriya Vidyalaya for admission for both of his twin girls, only one of them got admission. The other child as well as the father came before the Court seeking a direction to grant admission to her to the first standard.

“The challenge raised in the writ petition is against the discontinuation of the benefit of admission previously granted to a single girl child and twin girl children over and above the class strength by virtue of a special provision that was in existence. However as it is evident that such a concession was in existence only till 2022-23 and the said concession had been withdrawn more than three years prior to the admission sought for by the second petitioner, the challenge against its discontinuation has no merits. What was in existence was only a privilege given to twin girl children and not a right. Privileges conferred can be withdrawn at any time,” the Court opined.

The decision in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Others v. Elna Chinchu and Anr. was relied on by the Court.

The petitioners contended that the twins are very emotionally attached to each other and had a strong bond between them. It was argued that KV's policy of treating twin children as a single admission is a matter of gender justice and equality that twins are not separated. It was also pointed out that the doctrine of legitimate expectation applies in the present case.

The stand taken by the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan was that the special category admission for single girl child was introduced in KV schools in 2006-07 and at the time, single girl child was defined to include twin girls also. However. this provision was taken away in 2022-23 and presently, KVS Admission Guidelines for the year 2026-27 governed the admission process. According to them, deviating from the above process would be unfair to other applicants.

It was also pointed out that the admission to the KV is based on priority and merit and the concession granted to twin girls as a single admission was withdrawn and hence, the same cannot be claimed as a right. Since the petitioners were aware of the same when they applied, they cannot later raise any grievance.

They sought for rejection of the plea as the same would affect the entire admission process of KVs and moreover, the teacher-student ratio would also change.

After considering the rival contentions, the Court noted that presently, there is no provision enabling twin children's admission as a single one though it existed earlier. It further observed that the petitioners' were aware of this fact at the time of applying for admission. It then observed:

“As the petitioner was aware that the Guidelines did not provide any concession to twin girl children to be treated as a single admission, petitioners cannot claim any benefit even under the principle of legitimate expectation. In the absence of any stipulation in the Guidelines for 2025-26, there is no reason to assume that petitioners expected a concession for twin girl children to be granted.”

The Court further remarked that since KVs cater to students all over the country, it is obliged to strictly adhere to uniform admission procedures and therefore, no selective entitlement can be granted deviating from the Guidelines notified for admission:

“Further, Kendriya Vidyalayas cater to numerous students across the country and are hence obligated to adhere strictly to uniform admission norms. No specific or selective entitlement can be directed to be conferred outside the scope of the notified Guidelines based on individual preferences or circumstances. Such conferment of benefit would prejudice those who had adhered to the stipulations in the Guidelines.”

Thus, the Court dismissed the petition.

Case No: WP(C) No.17439 of 2026

Case Title: Rajesh R. and Anr. v. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 349

Counsel for the petitioners: Aduthya Rajeev

Counsel for the respondents: T.K. Sreekala – Standing Counsel, Uthara Asokan

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