New Delhi, October 12: Following the recent floods in Punjab, the Supreme Court has extended the cut-off date for college admissions in the state to October 30 for the 2025–26 academic session, providing relief to students and educational institutions affected by the calamity.
The order was passed by a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, along with Justice K Vinod Chandran, on an application filed by the Punjab Unaided College Association (PUCA), which represents private colleges offering professional, technical, management and diploma courses.
“The application is necessary on account of the unprecedented situation in the State of Punjab, wherein many regions have been affected by floods. The time to complete the process of admission is, accordingly, extended up to 30.10.2025,” the Bench said in its October 7 order.
PUCA had sought the extension, explaining that flood disruptions had prevented students from completing admissions in various courses, leaving a significant number of seats vacant.
PUCA president Anshu Kataria, also chairman of Aryans Group of Colleges, Rajpura, said the top court’s decision brings much-needed relief. “Earlier, the cut-off date for admissions was September 15 across the country. Students, especially from flood-hit areas, could not complete their admissions by then. This extension till October 30 will help thousands secure seats,” he said.
The extension is expected to enable colleges to complete the counselling and admission process smoothly, ensuring that students affected by the floods do not miss out on educational opportunities.
