Serious concerns have emerged regarding the PhD admission process (2025–26) at Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), Nagpur, after allegations that the provisional selection list does not follow statutory reservation norms or the university’s own notified seat matrix.
As per information available in the public domain, the university had advertised 35 seats for the PhD programme with reservations in accordance with Maharashtra government rules. However, the provisional admission list released on February 3, 2026 (Ref: MNLU/DC/2026/93), is alleged to show major deviations from the announced reservation structure.
According to the official seat matrix, five seats were reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), two for Scheduled Tribes (ST), and four for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC/SFBC). Reports indicate that no candidates from these categories were included in the provisional selection list. Seats earmarked for De-notified Tribes (VJ-A), Nomadic Tribes (NT-C), and Nomadic Tribes (NT-D), with one seat each allocated, also reportedly remain unfilled.
Meanwhile, although only 12 seats were notified for the Unreserved (General) category, the provisional list is said to include 22 candidates from this category, raising concerns that reserved seats may have been shifted to general admissions.
Legal experts note that MNLU Nagpur, established under the Maharashtra National Law University Act, 2014, is required to follow constitutional reservation provisions and state legislation. The alleged discrepancies have therefore raised questions about the transparency and legality of the Doctoral Council’s selection process.
Advocate Dipak Kharat, who highlighted the issue, has submitted copies of the notified seat matrix and the provisional selection list for verification, stating that the matter requires urgent scrutiny in the public interest, especially considering its implications for access to higher legal education for marginalised communities.
The university administration has not yet issued any official clarification regarding the allegations. Calls are growing for an independent inquiry to ensure adherence to reservation norms and accountability in the admission process.
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