Incidentally, Arjun Singh and Shekhar Chaudhuri were part of the first meeting of over 60 Centrally-aided higher educational institutions which was being held today at the Vigyan Bhavan in the Capital. The heads of all IIMs, IITs, Central universities and other higher educational institutions were called to Delhi — in lieu of the same Office Memorandum, dated April 20, which the Calcutta HC has stayed — and were asked to submit their status report on the “level of preparedness” and the difficulties faced by the institutions.

Singh later said the Calcutta High Court order will not affect quota implementation in other elite educational institutions. “The Ministry will put forth its views before the High Court. The stay may delay the quota implementation in IIM, Calcutta but it will not affect the process in other institutions,” Singh said.

“There is no confusion about quota implementation in PG courses. But if the High Court feels so, we will put forth our argument and the court will decide,” he said.

A similar petition has also been filed in the Delhi High Court which has issued notice to the Centre on implementation of 27 per cent quota for OBCs in PG courses.