The Karnataka High Court has ruled that the Karnataka State Law University (KSLU) cannot compel repeater LL.B. students to take examinations in revised subjects that were never part of the syllabus taught to them. The Court quashed a university circular to the extent it applied to the petitioners and directed KSLU to conduct examinations under the original syllabus.
Background of the Case
The petitioners were admitted to the three-year LL.B. course under the earlier syllabus, which included Labour Law-I and Labour Law-II. After they failed these papers, KSLU issued a circular dated April 8, 2026, requiring repeater students to appear for the newly introduced subjects, Labour and Industrial Law-I and Labour and Industrial Law-II, following a revised syllabus.
Challenging the circular, the petitioners argued that they could not be required to write examinations in subjects that had never been taught to them. They also relied on an earlier Karnataka High Court ruling that had dealt with a similar issue.
Court Observation
Justice Ashok S. Kinagi noted that it was undisputed that the petitioners had pursued their LL.B. course under the earlier syllabus. The Court observed that the college had taught them Labour Law-I and Labour Law-II and not the revised Labour and Industrial Law papers.
"The respondent University cannot direct the students to appear for the subject, which were not taught to them,"
the Court observed. It further held that insisting on examinations in the revised subjects for such students was arbitrary.
The Court also recorded that both sides agreed the issue was covered by an earlier decision of a coordinate bench in Sachin R. and Another v. Karnataka State Law University.
Decision
Allowing the writ petition, the High Court quashed the April 8, 2026 circular insofar as it applied to the petitioners. It directed KSLU to conduct examinations in Labour Law-I and Labour Law-II for the petitioners instead of requiring them to take the revised papers.
The Court further ordered the University to accept the examination fees and permit the petitioners to appear as repeater candidates in the forthcoming examinations under the original subjects. Pending applications were also disposed of.
Case Details:
Case Title: Ananda Karegoneppara & Others v. The Karnataka State Law University & Others
Case Number: W.P. No. 17879 of 2026
Judge: Justice Ashok S. Kinagi
Decision Date: June 17, 2026
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