( 1 ) CAN the students of an Autonomous College, who have failed to attend 75% of the total lectures, claim eligibility to appear at the final examination on the ground that the college has not stipulated such a requirement by framing a Rule or Regulation?

( 2 ) THIS is the main question that arises for our consideration in this appeal filed by the unsuccessful petitioners in Writ Petition No. 29673 of 1998.

( 3 ) THE facts that gave rise to the appeal, in brief, are the following :the fourteen (14) appellants-petitioners (hereinafter referred to as students ) were the students of Sir C. R. Reddy Autonomous College, Eluru, (hereinafter referred as the College ). During the academic year 1997-98 they were studying either in the first year or in the second year degree courses of B. A. /b. Com. /b. Sc. When they were not allowed to appear at the final examinations, in the respective courses, by the College, on the ground that they have failed to attend 75% of the lectures, they approached this Court by filing Writ Petitions Nos. 9865 and 1183 of 1998. Appellants 1 and 2 herein were petitioners in Writ Petitions No. 1183 of 1998 and the other appellants herein were t