Rajasthan High Court Dismisses Petitions Of MBBS Students Challenging Debarment Due To Low Attendance, Says Educational Standards Should Not Be Degraded

The students who were not allowed to sit in the first year Examination of MBBS course due to short-fall of attendance had approached the High Court.

The Single Bench of Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur asserted, “The Court emphasizes that every nation must strive for academic excellence, especially in fields like medicine, which have a direct impact on public health. A society that allows widespread incompetency cannot thrive, and therefore, educational standards must not be allowed to be degraded to substandard levels.”

Advocate Bhavit Sharma represented the Petitioners, while Deputy Solicitor General of India Mukesh Rajpurohit represented the Respondents.

Factual Background

The High Court was considering a batch of writ petitions involving similar questions of fact and law. In one of the matters, the petitioner, after having qualified the NEET examination, was allotted Government Medical College, Barmer, wherein he took admission in the M.B.B.S. Course for the year 2023. While the petitioner was attending the classes of the first year M.B.B.S. Course, he was diagnosed with Dengue and on account of the same, he could not attend his classes.

After recovering from the illness, he regularly attended the College, however, he was not allowed to undertake the MBBS first-year examination. Aggrieved thereby, he approached the High Court by way of filing the present writ petition.

Reasoning

The Bench found that while undergoing the MBBS Course, the petitioner was prevented from attending his classes as he was suffering from dengue. The similarly situated persons were also prevented from attending their classes for reasons beyond their control. As there was no provision for holding remedial classes at that relevant time, therefore, in the present case, remedial classes were not held.

The Bench said, “In the considered opinion of this Court, attendance in the MBBS examination is crucial. If a student has not acquired the requisite attendance in both theory and practicals, it would be detrimental to allow them to proceed with the course, particularly for the second-year examination. The MBBS degree is intended for those who will eventually treat human beings, making it of significant importance. While passing the order, this Court has kept in mind that the petitioner is pursuing a professional course and, upon obtaining the degree, will be obligated to serve as a doctor.”

“The importance of maintaining the highest standards in medical education cannot be overstated, as it directly affects the quality of healthcare provided to the public at large. Medical education requires strict adherence to attendance to ensure that students are sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to become competent practitioners. In this regard, the Court recognizes the petitioner’s role as a future healthcare provider and acknowledges the responsibility they will have in influencing the well-being of the community”, it added.

The Bench stated that since the petitioner had not completed the requisite number of attendance for theory and practical, the stay application of the petitioner had also been dismissed by a coordinate bench of the High Court. Therefore, as per the Bench, no relief could be granted to the petitioners at the present stage. Thus, the High Court dismissed the Writ Petitions.

Cause Title: Surendra Bisnoi & Ors. v. The State of Rajasthan & Ors. (Neutral Citation: 2025:RJ-JD:9855)

Appearance:

Petitioners: Advocates Bhavit Sharma, Hukam Singh.

Respondents: Advocate Aditi Sharma for Deputy Solicitor General of India, Advocate Mukesh Rajpurohit, AGC Parbat Singh,Advocate Mahendra Vishnoi.

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