02 April 2024 Education >> Miscellaneous  

A final year law student at H.P. National Law University (HPNLU) was denied admission to the 9th semester (equivalent to the 5th year) after missing the deadline to apply and pay fees. The student challenged the university's decision in a writ petition, but the court ultimately dismissed the case.

The student argued that financial constraints caused a delay in submitting the application and fee payment. They also claimed the university had been lenient with other students in the past regarding deadlines. However, the university countered that the student waited an unreasonable amount of time (until September 19th) to apply, even after an extension was granted due to bad weather.

By the time the student applied, a significant portion of the semester's coursework was already completed, and exams were scheduled for October 3rd. The university emphasized that the student wouldn't have been able to meet the minimum attendance requirement (70%) due to the late application.

The court, in its judgment, acknowledged the professional nature of a law program and the importance of timely enrolment. The lack of a convincing explanation from the student regarding the delay also played a role in the court's decision. The court concluded that the university acted reasonably considering the missed coursework and exams, and denying admission wasn't a violation of the student's fundamental rights.

It's important to note that during the case, the court granted the student provisional admission to the 10th semester (subject to the final decision). This allowed the student to continue their studies while the case was ongoing.

This case highlights the importance of adhering to deadlines set by universities, especially for professional programs like law. It also underscores the potential consequences of delays in enrolment, even if they are due to unforeseen circumstances.