Bombay HC Allows ILS Law College Students to Take Exams

The Bombay High Court has granted relief to students of ILS Law College, Pune, by allowing them to appear for semester-end examinations despite having a shortage of attendance.

The court's decision, made on Monday, applies to the 2025-26 academic year and is a strictly one-time measure. A bench of Justices Riyaz Chagla and Farhan Dubash heard petitions filed by around 41 students from different years of the three-year and five-year law courses.

These students had been barred from appearing for examinations due to their attendance being between 46 per cent and 54.37 per cent. The court relied on a July 21 order of the Supreme Court, which had given one-time protection to law students whose academic session was ongoing when the Delhi High Court had passed its November 2025 order on attendance requirements.

The college and Savitribai Phule Pune University had argued that the Supreme Court's relief applied only to students appearing for the final examinations of three-year and five-year LLB courses. However, the High Court disagreed, stating that students studying in earlier years could also lose an entire academic year if they were stopped from appearing for their semester-end examinations.

Therefore, students from the first, second, third, and fourth years would also be covered by the Supreme Court order. The High Court made it clear that the order would apply only to the 2025-26 academic session and would not dilute attendance rules for future years.

Students will continue to be required to meet the applicable attendance requirements. The court also confirmed the interim relief already granted to students who had appeared for their examinations, and their results and marksheets will be issued.

For students who could not appear, the university and college have been directed to hold supplementary examinations within four weeks. These examinations will be treated as part of the 2025-26 academic session, and students will not have to repeat the semester only because of the attendance shortage.

This decision provides significant relief to the students of ILS Law College who were facing uncertainty due to their attendance shortage. The court's ruling ensures that these students can continue their academic pursuits without undue disruption.

In the broader context, this decision highlights the importance of balancing academic rigor with compassion and understanding. The court's willingness to consider the unique circumstances of these students demonstrates a commitment to fairness and equity in education.

The implications of this decision are likely to be felt beyond the immediate context of ILS Law College, as it sets a precedent for how attendance requirements can be balanced with the needs of students. As the education sector continues to evolve, decisions like this one will play a crucial role in shaping the future of academic policy and practice.

In conclusion, the Bombay High Court's decision to allow ILS Law College students to take their semester-end examinations despite attendance shortages is a significant development that will have far-reaching implications for the education sector. It underscores the importance of flexibility and compassion in academic policy and ensures that students are not unfairly penalized for circumstances beyond their control.