IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATE OF TELANGANA AT HYDERABAD The Hon’ble The Chief Justice Sri Aparesh Kumar Singh and The Hon’ble Sri Justice G.M.Mohiuddin Writ Petition No.22640 of 2025 Dated: 18.12.2025 Between:

P.R.Pavan Jayanth ...Petitioner and The State of Telangana, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Education Department, Secretariat, Hyderabad and 3 others.

...Respondents

Order

Mr. Ch.Buchi Raju, learned counsel appears for the petitioner and Mr. T.Sharath, learned Standing Counsel for Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences appears for respondents No.2 and 4 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the University’).

2. Petitioner, a student of BDS course in the University (2018-19 batch), could not complete his course because of repeated interruptions on account of ill heath said to have been caused due to COVID. The first period of his absence is from 05.03.2022 to 22.02.2023. Even after condoning the said period by respondent No.2, petitioner could not attend the College from 24.09.2023 to 17.12.2023, 08.06.2024 to 27.08.2024 and 11.11.2024 to 07.03.2025 i.e., for a total period of 20 months. Therefore, by the impugned order dated 23.04.2025, petitioner was informed by the University that his request for re-admission could not be considered as he could not complete the course within nine years. Petitioner’s candidature was forfeited as per the Regulations of Dental Council of India (7^th amendment) Notification dated 25.07.2007 (for short ‘the Regulations’) and the demand draft of Rs.7,000/- submitted by him towards re-admission fee was returned to him, which is the subject matter of challenge in the present Writ Petition.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner has strenuously argued that a sympathetic consideration should be made in view of the severe complications of health, which the petitioner had to face on account of COVID infection during those periods, otherwise, his entire career would be ruined.

4. Learned Standing Counsel for the University submits that there is no exception to the Telangana Medical and Dental Colleges Admission (Admission into MBBS & BDS Courses) Rules, 2017. The first period of absence was condoned by the University but petitioner could not continue his studies due to repeated bout of ill health. Such disruption of studies spread for more than two years could not be compensated for continuity of studies in a course, which has to be completed in a four-year period. Therefore, the University had to forfeit the petitioner’s admission and return the re-admission fee to him by the impugned order dated 23.04.2025.

5. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and taken note of the materials placed on record.

6. Though the case of the petitioner draws sympathetic consideration, the Regulations do not permit completion of the BDS course with such disruption. The regulations had been framed keeping into account the need for continuity of studies, but it also permits the course to be completed in an extended period of nine years taking into account the inevitable circumstances, which a student may be subjected to. However, despite condonation of the first period of absence for a period of eleven months, petitioner could not continue his studies from September, 2023 to March, 2025. Such absence over a period of time can hardly be compensated, even if the petitioner could get re-admission. The object behind the Regulations, therefore, cannot be said to be irrational. Since the Regulations do not permit any exception beyond the permissible limit, we do not find any reason to interfere in the impugned order dated 23.04.2025.

7. Accordingly, the instant Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs.

As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, pending if any, stand closed.

____________________________ APARESH KUMAR SINGH, CJ ___________________ G.M.MOHIUDDIN, J Date: 18.12.2025

LUR