The Chandigarh Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has directed Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, to provisionally issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and an Experience Certificate to three nursing officers. This directive enables the officers to complete admission formalities for the Post Basic BSc (Nursing) programme offered through correspondence mode by the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). The order is subject to the final outcome of their original application.
Background of the Case
Mandeep Kaur and two other nursing officers approached the tribunal through advocate KB Sharma, alleging that GMCH authorities failed to issue them an NOC-cum-Experience Certificate despite their provisional selection for admission to the Post Basic BSc (Nursing) course. The applicants had submitted applications on February 7, 2026, seeking an NOC to appear in the entrance examination. While 22 employees were granted the requisite NOC, no decision was taken on their applications, they claimed.
The applicants subsequently applied online to IGNOU on February 24, 2026, and were issued admit cards for the entrance examination held on March 29. They qualified the examination and were included in the merit list published on June 22. According to the applicants, eight employees who had been granted NOCs to appear in the examination did not make it to the merit list.
Urgency Due to Document Verification Deadline
As per provisional admission letters, the applicants were called for document verification on July 10. They submitted that failure to produce the required documents by the stipulated date would result in cancellation of their candidature. Despite repeatedly approaching GMCH authorities, they received no response, prompting them to seek legal remedy.
Arguing the matter, counsel for the applicants contended that the right to education is an inalienable human right. He further submitted that employees should be encouraged to enhance their educational qualifications, as a better-qualified workforce serves the public interest by improving professional competence. A more educated workforce is better equipped to address complex social issues, adapt to technological changes, and deliver improved public services, he argued.
CAT's Interim Order
After hearing submissions, the tribunal observed that the applicants had made out a prima facie case for interim relief. It directed the respondents to provisionally issue the No Objection Certificate and Experience Certificate forthwith, enabling the applicants to complete the admission process within the prescribed time. The order remains subject to the final outcome of the original application. The tribunal also directed the Director-Principal of GMCH to file a reply by July 28, 2026.
