A postgraduate learner at the National Open Learning University (NOLU) saw the synopsis for his capstone project—an “Intelligent Wellness Tracker” that leverages machine-learning algorithms to predict early-onset diabetes—summarily rejected. The rejection email, received barely forty-eight hours after submission, merely stated “lacks originality” without supplying any rubric, similarity score, or specific deficiencies.

Prior to this, the student had:

• Prepared the proposal following the university’s official handbook (version 2023-B).
• Attached a plagiarism report (similarity 7 %).
• Secured a supervision consent letter from a faculty-approved mentor.

He attempted telephonic clarification, but the project evaluation cell refused to disclose remarks, directing him to “resubmit in the next cycle,” which would delay graduation by six months and jeopardise a confirmed software-engineering offer.

Advice in such cases

• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think.
• Send a detailed representation to the Registrar by speed-post describing timeline, attaching proof of originality, and requesting speaking order.
• Invoke the University’s grievance redressal committee under UGC (Redress of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2023; insist on a written, reasoned decision within fifteen days.
• If no response, file an e-complaint before the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) citing educational delay.
• Preserve all electronic correspondence and courier receipts—these form the core documentary evidence.

Applicable Sections of Law

• Section 72, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Criminal breach of trust by a public servant, if deliberate suppression of evaluation remarks is established.
• Chapter XII, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 – Provisions for filing an information report where a cognisable offence of cheating or criminal intimidation is alleged.
• Consumer Protection Act, 2019 – Education is a “service”; the student qualifies as “consumer” entitled to deficiency-of-service remedy before the District Consumer Commission.
• Right to Information Act, 2005 – Entitles the student to certified copies of evaluator comments and plagiarism comparison sheets.

If you are the complainant

• Draft a precise complaint narrating dates, enclose the rejection email, plagiarism report, and supervision consent.
• Address it to the Vice-Chancellor with copies to the Dean (School of Computer Studies) and Grievance Officer.
• Mark a copy to the University Grants Commission to create external oversight.
• **Consult with Lawyer** before approaching Consumer Commission or the civil court for injunction against delayed result declaration.

If you are the victim

• Collect every rejection or resubmission directive in writing; verbal conversations rarely help during adjudication.
• Request an interim completion certificate from the Registrar to show potential employers that only final viva is pending.
• File an RTI application seeking the evaluation rubric, evaluator identity code, and minutes of the screening committee.
• Escalate swiftly; universities often issue revised decisions once procedural lapses are highlighted.

How the police behave in such cases

Police generally treat academic disputes as civil in nature. They will register an information report only if explicit cheating, forgery, or extortion surfaces. Clear documentary evidence—such as falsified similarity indices or demand for illegal gratification—will be required to invoke cognisable offences under BNS. Absent these, they may guide you toward civil remedies.

FAQs people normally have

Q 1: Can I compel the university to accept my synopsis?
A: Courts rarely interfere with academic autonomy but will intervene where natural justice is denied—e.g., rejection without reasons.

Q 2: Will filing a legal case delay my degree further?
A: Interim relief, such as a direction to process the synopsis within a fixed timeline, can be sought to minimise delay.

What evidence is required?

• Original rejection email with timestamp.
• Plagiarism-check report (complete PDF).
• Copy of project handbook showing compliance.
• Postal receipts of grievance letters.
• Communication with project mentor confirming originality.

How long will the investigation take?

Internal grievance committees are mandated to dispose of complaints within one month under UGC norms. A consumer-protection dispute generally concludes within 90–150 days but may extend if expert evidence is needed. Criminal investigation under BNSS varies; if FIR is registered, police must submit a preliminary report within 60 days for minor offences.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India