Delhi High Court rules: low attendance cannot be a basis for barring law students from exams.

In a landmark judgment, the Delhi High Court has ruled that law students cannot be stopped from appearing in examinations solely because of low attendance. The court said attendance shortage should not deny any student their right to education or academic progress.
The order came while dealing with issues related to the 2016 suicide of law student Sushant Rohilla, who was reportedly barred from exams for poor attendance. The court called for a more compassionate approach by remarking, “Attendance rules must not cause mental trauma or distress.”

Key Directives:

• Attendance norms beyond Bar Council of India rules cannot be prescribed by law colleges.
• There is a small grade penalty for students with low attendance, rather than a denial to take exams.
• Colleges should regularly update students and parents about attendance.
• Extra classes should be offered to help students make up for attendance shortages.
• UGC should ensure that students and mental health professionals are included in the grievance committee

The BCI should revisit its rules in the light of NEP 2020 to accommodate internships and moot courts as academic activity. The court made it clear that legal education does not stop at classrooms and must value holistic student development. This judgment is likely to benefit thousands of law students across the country and push institutions towards a more equitable, student-friendly policy regarding attendance.