A seven-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court delivered a 4:3 verdict on Friday, overturning a 1967 ruling that removed the minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). The bench, led by outgoing Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, left the final decision on granting minority status to a separate, as-yet unformed three-judge bench.

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• he 4:3 ruling overturned a 1967 verdict denying AMU’s minority status.
• Chief Justice Chandrachud led the majority opinion on his last working day.
• Majority declared institutions incorporated by statute might still claim minority status.
• Question of AMU’s minority status now referred to a regular three-judge bench.
• Dissenting judges Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and SC Sharma opposed the ruling.
• AMU founded as Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875; became a university in 1920.
• AMU received substantial government funding but argues it retains minority character.
• Majority ruled minority institutions may emphasize secular education.
• Debate centers on Article 30, which grants minorities the right to run educational institutions.
• Final ruling could impact minority education rights across India.