Allahabad High Court Intervenes for Student Denied Exam Chance
The Allahabad High Court has taken a firm stand to protect a student's academic future. Justice Vivek Saran directed Prof Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University in Prayagraj to conduct a special examination for a BSc student. The student faced exclusion from her exams because the university's portal failed to update her admission records properly.
Technical Glitch Blocks Student's Path
Shreya Pandey, a first-year BSc Biology student at Urmila Devi PG College in Handia, found herself in a difficult situation. She had deposited her fees on July 16, 2025, and attended classes for the 2025-2026 academic session. However, when the examination schedule came out, the university did not issue her an admit card.
The problem stemmed from the Samarth Portal. Her records remained stuck in draft form and could not be updated before the deadline. The college noticed this issue and informed the university that around 30 students faced similar problems. While records for 25 students got updated later, Shreya's case remained unresolved.
Court Cites Fundamental Rights Violation
Justice Saran expressed clear dissatisfaction with the university's handling of the matter. He pointed out that the university knew about the update issue and possessed the data in draft form. Yet, they took no corrective action. The court emphasized that appearing in an examination constitutes a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to live with human dignity.
The court referenced previous judgments to support this view. It relied on the high court's order in Rahul Pandey vs. Union of India 2025 and the Delhi High Court's decision in Re: Master Prabhnoor Singh Virdi. Both rulings affirmed that denying a student the chance to take an exam infringes upon rights akin to the right to life.
Immediate Directions Issued
The court issued specific mandatory directions to address the injustice:
- The university must conduct a special examination for Shreya Pandey within two weeks.
- Results must be published at the earliest to allow her to continue her studies without further delay.
- The university must take all necessary steps to update her records within a reasonable timeframe to secure her academic future.
Furthermore, the court noted that the university's counsel failed to explain any standard procedure for handling such technical errors. The counsel has been asked to file a counter-affidavit detailing the university's process when portal update failures occur.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This order, dated January 12, highlights how administrative or technical lapses should not jeopardize a student's career. The court firmly stated that the petitioner was not at fault. Her future cannot be compromised due to system failures or institutional inertia.
The case has been listed for further hearing on February 10. This ongoing scrutiny ensures the university follows through with the court's directives and establishes better protocols to prevent similar issues.
This ruling reinforces the principle that educational institutions must prioritize students' rights. It serves as a reminder that technical glitches require prompt and effective solutions, not neglect.
