The Allahabad High Court has stepped in to protect a student’s academic future after she was stopped from appearing in her university examination due to a technical lapse on an online portal. Calling the issue a violation of the right to live with dignity, the Court directed the university to conduct a special examination for the student within two weeks.
Background of the Case
The case was filed by Shreya Pandey, a first-year B.Sc. (Biology) student enrolled at Urmila Devi P.G. College in Prayagraj for the 2025–26 academic session. She had taken admission in July 2025, deposited her fees, and regularly attended classes.
Trouble arose when the university released the examination schedule. Shreya was not issued an admit card. On inquiry, it emerged that although her application existed on the university’s “Samarth Portal,” it remained in draft form and was never fully updated.
Her college informed the university in October 2025 that records of around 30 students had not been updated. While the university corrected the details of most students, Shreya’s record, along with a few others, was left untouched. As a result, she was barred from appearing in the first semester examination.
Arguments Before the Court
Counsel for the university told the Court that the portal had strict deadlines for data updates, even though extensions were granted. Without complete records on the portal, the university said it could not issue an admit card.
The college, however, argued that it had already alerted the university about the issue well within time. The student’s counsel stressed that the lapse was purely technical and no fault could be attributed to Shreya, who had fulfilled all academic and financial requirements.
Court’s Observations
Justice Vivek Saran noted that the student’s application was present on the portal, though in draft form, and that the university was aware of the problem. Despite this knowledge, no corrective steps were taken.
“The petitioner has been denied the opportunity to appear in the examination only due to lack of updation of records on the portal, for which no fault can be attributed to her,” the Court observed.
The judge referred to earlier rulings, including one by the Allahabad High Court itself, holding that the right to appear in an examination is part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution. The Court also cited Delhi High Court judgments recognising education as essential to living with dignity.
Decision
Finding that Shreya’s future should not suffer because of administrative lapses, the Court issued interim directions to the university. It ordered the university to conduct a special B.Sc. (Biology) first semester examination for her within two weeks and to declare the result within a reasonable time.
The Court also directed the university to update her academic records promptly to ensure that her future studies are not affected. The matter has been listed for further hearing, with instructions to the university to explain the procedure it follows when such technical issues are reported.
Case Title: Shreya Pandey vs State of Uttar Pradesh and 2 Others
Case Number: Writ – C No. 43756 of 2025
Date of Order: January 12, 2026
