No Provision for Condoning Attendance Shortage - The legal framework generally does not permit condoning attendance shortages for appearing in examinations. Courts have consistently held that students failing to meet minimum attendance requirements cannot be allowed to sit for exams, and such students are often required to repeat the year or course. For example, there is no provision which allows a candidate, who has failed to secure minimum required attendance, to appear in the examination either in the same year by condoning shortage of attendance or in the subsequent year ["2023 0 Supreme(Raj) 42"]. Similarly, candidates having failed to secure minimum attendance were not entitled to appear in the examination ["2023 0 Supreme(Raj) 42"].
Exceptions and Relaxations in Specific Circumstances - Courts have occasionally permitted condoning attendance deficits up to a certain percentage (often 5-10%) under special circumstances such as illness, pregnancy, or participation in extracurricular activities like sports or moot courts. For instance, Student may be permitted by Hon'ble Vice Chancellor with B+ cap, by condoning attendance up to 5% in a course, if the student falls sick during the semester ["2024 0 Supreme(All) 108"], and shortage can be condoned if on account of participation in Sports Events, Youth Festivals, Moot Court, or NCC Camps ["2022 0 Supreme(P&H) 901"]. Additionally, attendance shortage due to advanced pregnancy was held to be a valid ground for condoning absence ["2015 Supreme(Online)(DEL) 1977"], ["2015 Supreme(Online)(DEL) 1977"].
Court Directions on Student Attendance - Several courts have emphasized that students should not be barred from examinations solely on attendance grounds, especially in extraordinary circumstances. The Delhi High Court, for example, stated, no student enrolled in any recognized law college shall be detained from taking examination on the ground of lack of minimum attendance ["2026 Supreme(Online)(Ker) 73"], ["2025 0 Supreme(Bom) 1491"]. Courts have also directed institutions to consider humanitarian grounds and allow students to appear for exams despite attendance shortfalls, provided certain conditions are met.
Strict Attendance Norms and Consequences - Despite some relaxations, the general rule remains that students must meet minimum attendance criteria (commonly 70% or 75%) to be eligible for exams. Failure to do so typically results in ineligibility, unless the student is granted specific relaxations or condonation. A student, who was not allowed to appear in examination due to shortage of attendance, will repeat the year as a regular student ["2023 0 Supreme(Raj) 1106"], and a student must maintain at least 75% attendance to be eligible to appear in exams ["2022 0 Supreme(AP) 639"].
Special Cases and Judicial Interventions - Courts have intervened in cases where attendance was affected by medical issues, pregnancy, or other personal circumstances, ruling that such students should not be penalized unfairly. The shortage of attendance of the petitioner due to medical reasons was condoned ["2023 Supreme(Online)(MP) 25423"], and a female student cannot be deprived of student status or examination opportunity due to pregnancy-related attendance issues ["2015 Supreme(Online)(DEL) 1977"]. Courts have also mandated that institutions consider compassionate grounds and provide opportunities for students to complete their courses.
Analysis and Conclusion:Courts generally uphold the principle that minimum attendance requirements are essential for maintaining academic discipline, but they also recognize exceptional circumstances warranting condonation. While the default position is that students must meet attendance thresholds to be eligible for examinations, judicial rulings emphasize flexibility in cases involving health, pregnancy, or participation in extracurricular activities. Institutions are advised to consider humanitarian grounds and provide opportunities for students to complete their courses, but strict adherence to attendance norms remains the norm unless explicitly relaxed or condoned by authorities or courts ["2023 0 Supreme(Raj) 42"] ["2024 0 Supreme(All) 108"] ["2015 Supreme(Online)(DEL) 1977"].
