In a significant relief to three doctoral students of IIM Ahmedabad, the Gujarat High Court has set aside the orders withdrawing their candidature from the Doctoral Programme in Management (DPM). The Court held that the institutional action was contrary to the procedure mandated under the official Manual, rendering it void from the outset.
The petitioners were admitted to the DPM programme and were declared ineligible for promotion from the first to the second year by an order dated 07 June 2025. Their candidature was withdrawn, and they were expelled from the programme.
Invoking Clause 6.1(c) of the DPM Manual, each petitioner filed an individual appeal before the Director. On 18 June 2025, the Director rejected all appeals, prompting the petitioners to move the High Court, challenging both decisions.
During arguments, counsel for the petitioners submitted that the process violated principles of natural justice. They were given only 24 hours, via an email dated 22 May 2025, to submit extenuating circumstances, which was said to be insufficient time for a response, determining their academic future. It was further argued that neither the Executive Committee nor the Director afforded them a personal hearing, although cancellation from a doctoral programme carries serious civil consequences.
The Court observed that the decision dated 06 October 2025 issued by the Chairperson, DPM, was not aligned with the procedure laid down in the Manual, making the action &ldquo;nonest and void ab initio.&rdquo; Consequently, the Director&rsquo;s subsequent order automatically became ineffective.
Holding the core issue in favour of the petitioners, the Court deemed it unnecessary to examine additional issues related to natural justice, legitimate expectation, or administrative propriety, calling such analysis &ldquo;academic.&rdquo;
The Court quashed the orders dated 07 June and 18 June 2025, directing that all consequential benefits follow.
A request from the institution&rsquo;s counsel for a four-week stay on the operation of the judgment was accepted. The order will remain stayed for four weeks from its upload on the Gujarat High Court portal. Additionally, the petitioners in Special Civil Application Nos. 8459 and 8513 of 2025 will continue to reside in their current accommodation for an extra four weeks without risk of eviction.

Gujarat High Court voids disciplinary orders, grants four-week stay to institution

Guj HC Quashes Orders Against Students

Gujarat High Court voids disciplinary orders, grants four-week stay to institution

December 9, 2025 | 15:04 IST