The Delhi High Court upheld Delhi University’s decision to allow former students a second chance to reappear in up to four exams, stating that this is a legitimate policy decision by the university.
Justice C Hari Shankar explained that students who failed to pass their exams within the allowed time do not have the right to request another chance. The judge emphasized that the “centenary chances” given by DU were a benefit, not a right, and the university was not legally required to allow former students to retake all their exams.
The court noted that DU‘s decision to provide these centenary chances was part of its centenary celebrations and was entirely at the university’s discretion. Therefore, DU could decide the terms of this benefit, including the limitation to a maximum of four exams.
The court reviewed a case from a former student who challenged DU’s April 1, 2024 notification about the ‘Centenary Chance Special Examination Phase-II,’ which restricted students to reattempting only four exams. The student argued this limit was unfair and that all remaining exams should be included. The petition also noted that a May 2022 notification did not have such a restriction.
In its ruling, the court concluded that the decision and its terms were purely academic policy matters. It dismissed the petition, stating that the student did not demonstrate any arbitrariness or invalidity in the university’s decision.
The court further remarked that involving academic bodies in court for every policy decision would undermine their autonomy and freedom.