Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has ruled that it will not interfere in academic policies set by universities, including rules on mandatory attendance for examinations.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Ghous Meera Mohiuddin delivered the ruling while setting aside an earlier single-judge order that had allowed a BTech student, Manovita, to sit for exams despite poor attendance.
The court stated that universities are competent to determine attendance requirements, especially in professional courses like engineering. “Attendance rules are based on both theoretical and practical instruction. Courts should not intervene in such academic decisions,” the bench said.
It reaffirmed that a minimum of 75% attendance is generally required, with a relaxation of up to 10% allowed only in specific cases like illness, sports, or NCC participation. “Beyond this, no further concession can be permitted,” the judges ruled.
Manovita, a third-year BTech student from Gitanjali College of Engineering and Technology in Medchal, had earlier secured exam permission due to health issues. The college challenged that order, arguing that other students with similar attendance had also been denied exam access.
The court agreed, warning that allowing such exceptions could set an undesirable precedent. It rejected the student’s plea despite references to other High Court judgments, including one from Meghalaya. “Life presents many obstacles. Success comes by facing them, not bypassing rules,” the court observed.
It noted that even aspirants of UPSC exams rarely succeed on their first attempt, but perseverance leads to success. The court directed that Manovita rejoin classes with junior students in the semester starting January and allowed the college’s appeal.