The Karnataka High Court dismissed a medical student’s plea to appear for her first-year MBBS Biochemistry exam for a fifth time, citing NMC and university rules. Justice R. Devdas stated, “The law is very clear in this regard. No Court can pass an order contrary to the Regulations and norms prescribed by the university.”
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court recently dismissed a petition filed by a medical student seeking permission to appear for her first-year MBBS Biochemistry exam for a fifth time, stating that such a request goes against the rules framed by the university and the National Medical Commission (NMC).
The order was delivered by Justice R. Devdas on September 25, 2025, in a case filed by Miss Nishat R. Kolyal, a 24-year-old first-year MBBS student of Dr. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bengaluru.
Miss Kolyal approached the court under Articles 226 and 227 of the Constitution after she was denied another opportunity to clear her Biochemistry paper, which was the only subject she had not passed.
Represented by advocate Chandrakanth R. Goulay, the petitioner sought a court direction for the authorities, including the Union of India, the NMC, the State of Karnataka, the Directorate of Medical Education, the Karnataka Examinations Authority, and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), to allow her a “mercy attempt” to appear for both Paper I and II of Biochemistry in the September/October 2025 session.
The petitioner argued that her plea was compassionate, as she had successfully passed all other subjects and required only one more chance to complete her first-year MBBS.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court Orders Delhi Govt to Report on Threat to Unnao Rape Victim’s Mother
She had also submitted representations to various authorities on June 27 and July 14, 2025, which were placed before the court as annexures.
However, the court made it clear that it did not have the authority to issue directions that go against binding academic regulations. Justice Devdas observed that both RGUHS and the NMC explicitly limit students to a maximum of four attempts for clearing first-year subjects.
The order stated,
“The law is very clear in this regard. No court can pass an order contrary to the regulations and norms prescribed by the university,”
The bench further noted that the petitioner’s plea was not based on any violation of procedure or arbitrariness, but purely on compassionate grounds.
While the court acknowledged her difficult situation, it emphasized that judicial sympathy cannot replace statutory mandates.
ALSO READ: CJI BR Gavai Warns: ‘Social Media Can Misinterpret Judges’ Remarks’
As a result, the writ petition was dismissed, with the court stating that it could not grant any relief inconsistent with the regulations governing medical education.
The order read.
“The law is very clear in this regard. No Court can pass an order contrary to the Regulations and norms prescribed by the university,”
Case Title:
Miss. Nishat R Kolyal vs UOI and Others
Click Here to Read Previous Reports on CJI BR Gavai
