- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:7727 WP No. 103347 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA, DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF JUNE 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR WRIT PETITION NO. 103347 OF 2025 (GM-CC) BETWEEN: MISS CHAITRA K. PATIL, AGE: 22 YEARS, OCC: STUDENT, R/O. KOLIGUDDA, TQ: RAIBAG, DIST: BELAGAVI-591220. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHARAD M. PATIL, ADVOCATE) AND: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, KARNATAKA EXAMINATION AUTHORITY, SAMPIGE ROAD, 18TH CROSS ROAD, MALLESHWARAM, BENGALURU-560012. …RESPONDENT (BY SMT. SURABHI KULKARNI, ADVOCATE) THIS WRIT PETITION IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO ISSUE A WRIT OF MANDAMUS DIRECTING THE RESPONDENTS TO CONSIDER FAVORABLY THE REPRESENTATION DATED 12/05/2025 GIVEN BY THE PETITIONER VIDE ANNEXURE-F AND CONSIDER THE PETITIONER IN CATEGORY III(A) LIST IN THE INTEREST OF JUSTICE AND EQUITY AND ETC. THIS PETITION COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: VIJAYALAKSHMI M KANKUPPI Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA DHARWAD BENCH - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:7727 WP No. 103347 of 2025 ORAL ORDER (PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR) 1. Heard the learned counsel Sri.Sharad M.Patil for the petitioner and the learned counsel Smt.Surabhi Kulkarni for the respondent. 2. The petitioner has completed B.Sc. from Rani Channamma University, Belagavi and is presently studying M.Sc. 4th semester at Rani Channamma University, Belagavi. The respondent had invited application for Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) on 13.07.2024, for which the petitioner had applied by filling the form through online. The petitioner had entered general category in the online form, instead of mentioning category as III-A. The respondent thereafter issued subject wise and category wise list of candidates provisionally qualified in K-SET 2024. The petitioner later realized that she had committed mistake by not mentioning correct category of caste as III-A, as she belongs to backward class. Hence, the petitioner gave a representation on 12.05.2025 to the - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:7727 WP No. 103347 of 2025 respondent to consider her representation to change her category from general to III-A which was mentioned by mistake at the time of filing online form and to provide her eligibility accordingly. The petitioner is aggrieved by non- consideration of the said representation given to the respondent. Hence, the petitioner is before this Court. 3. Learned counsel for the respondent Smt.Surabhi Kulkarni contends that the categories are filled based on the online form submitted by the candidates themselves. Therefore, if there is any error committed and if representation is so made by filing necessary form, the same shall be considered in accordance with law. 4. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned counsel for the respondent. 5. The matter revolves on a very short point for consideration, as to whether category of the petitioner can be changed from general category to III-A category. The - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC-D:7727 WP No. 103347 of 2025 representation is also given by the petitioner on 12.05.2025 to consider the same and if the petitioner is able to establish that she falls under the category of III-A, this Court does not find any illegality or any impediment for the respondent to consider her request, subject to proper verification and any further inquiry, if required. Accordingly, I pass the following: ORDER i. Petition is allowed ii. Writ of mandamus is issued directing the respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner dated 12.05.2025 in accordance with law, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Sd/- (PRADEEP SINGH YERUR) JUDGE kgk CT-MCK / List No.: 1 Sl No.: 51