Allahabad High Court Intervenes in Student Exam Denial Case
The Allahabad High Court has taken a firm stand in a case involving a BSc student who was prevented from taking her first-semester examination. The court has ordered the university authorities to arrange a special examination for the student. This decision came after a technical glitch on the university's online portal blocked the issuance of her admit card.
Court Compares Exam Denial to Violation of Fundamental Rights
Justice Vivek Saran, presiding over the bench, delivered the order on January 12. The court referenced a Supreme Court judgment during the hearing. It emphasized that preventing a student from appearing for examinations infringes upon their rights. The High Court specifically stated that such denial is akin to violating the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
The court observed clearly, "Appearing in an examination is akin to the right to live with human dignity. When the petitioner is not at fault, her future should not be jeopardized only due to technical lapses." This strong language underscores the court's view on the matter.
Details of the Student's Plight
The petitioner, Shreya Pandey, is a BSc (Biology) student at Urmila Devi PG College in Handia, Prayagraj. Her college operates under Professor Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University. Shreya secured admission for the 2025-2026 academic session and paid her fees on July 16 last year.
However, when examination dates were announced, she did not receive her admit card. She submitted a formal representation to the university's Vice-Chancellor through her college principal on November 27. It was later discovered that her records remained in draft form on the university portal and were never properly updated.
University's Explanation and Court's Scrutiny
During court proceedings, the university's counsel explained the situation. They stated that student records needed updating on the 'Samarth' web portal within a prescribed deadline. The university had extended this deadline and reopened the portal from October 31 to November 1, 2025.
The counsel argued that without updated records on the Samarth Portal, the university could not issue an admit card. The college counsel added that many students faced similar issues. The college had informed the university about 30 such cases on October 27, 2025. While records for 25 students were updated, Shreya Pandey and four others were left out.
The court noted critically, "It is only due to lack of update of record on 'Samarth Portal' that the petitioner has been denied to appear in the examination. This fault cannot be attributed to the petitioner." The bench further pointed out that the university knew about the non-updation of records but took no corrective action.
Court's Directives and Future Steps
As an interim measure, the High Court issued specific directions. The university must conduct a special examination for Shreya Pandey for her BSc (Biology) first-semester course within two weeks from the order date. The court also mandated that the university declare her results within a reasonable timeframe. This will allow her to continue her studies without further disruption.
Additionally, the university must take all necessary steps to update Shreya's records properly. The court has scheduled the next hearing for February 10. It has directed the university's counsel to file a counter affidavit detailing the procedure the university follows when informed about technical errors on its web portal.
This case highlights the significant impact of administrative and technical failures on students' academic careers. The Allahabad High Court's intervention ensures that a student's future is not compromised by systemic errors beyond her control.
