High Court Asks Delhi University To Ensure Date-Sheets Are Issued At Least 15 Days Prior To Commencement Of Law Exams

The Delhi High Court has asked the Dean and Head of Delhi University's Faculty of Law to ensure that future date-sheets are issued at least 15 days before the commencement of examinations.

Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma strongly urged the varsity's Dean of the Faculty of Law to take all administrative decisions, including the issuance of date-sheets, with due regard for the interests of students.

“There is no dispute that students must be given adequate notice before the commencement of examinations. Universities are expected to enforce rules strictly but also with compassion, recognizing the students' welfare,” the Court said.

It disposed of a plea moved by various students seeking quashing of the examination schedule for odd semester examinations of the Faculty of Law, issued on January 03.

The examinations for the LL.B.-I, III and V Semesters were directed to be commenced from January 06. However, a revised date-sheet was subsequently issued after representations were made by the students.

It was the petitioners' case that the issuance of the revised date-sheet at the eleventh hour, just three days before the commencement of the examinations, had caused practical difficulties for the students. It was thus requested that the University must devise a mechanism to address such situations in the interest of the students' welfare.

The Court refused to interfere with the revised date-sheet and said that it was reluctant to interfere with the administration of the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

“While the Court does not deem it appropriate at this stage to interfere with the revised date-sheet issued by the University of Delhi, it earnestly advises that the Dean and Head of the Faculty of Law to ensure that future date-sheets are issued at least 15 days before the examinations begin,” the Court said.

It added: “Furthermore, if there are instances in the current date-sheet where students are required to appear for two exams on the same day, the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi may consider the representations of students with compassion and address them expeditiously, in accordance with the rules and regulations.”

Title: SOHAM BHATTACHARYA AND OTHERS v. THE FACULTY OF LAW UNIVERSITY OF DELHI THROUGH ITS DEAN AND ANOTHER

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Del) 65

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