Medical Education Needs High Standards, It Affects Public Healthcare: Rajasthan HC Nixes Students' Pleas Barred From Exam For Less Attendance

Rejecting a batch of pleas by medical students barred from sitting for examinations as they didn't attend the prescribed number of classes due to illness or other reasons, the Rajasthan High Court said that attendance in MBBS courses was mandatory and keeping in mind a healthcare provider's role educational standards can't be degraded. In doing so the court underscored that without fulfilling the prescribed minimum attendance, it was detrimental to permit the students to proceed to the next year. This the court said while also noting that the importance of maintaining high standards in medical education which directly affects "quality of public healthcare". Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur said, "In the considered opinion of this Court, attendance in the MBBS examination is crucial. If a student has not acquired the requisite attendance in both theory and practicals, it would be detrimental to allow them to proceed with the course, particularly for the second-year examination. The MBBS degree is intended for those who will eventually treat human beings, making it of significant importance. While passing the order, this Court has kept in mind that the petitioner is pursuing a professional course and, upon obtaining the degree, will be obligated to serve as a doctor. The importance of maintaining the highest standards in medical education cannot be overstated, as it directly affects the quality of healthcare provided to the public at large". "Medical education requires strict adherence to attendance to ensure that students are sufficiently equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to become competent practitioners. In this regard, the Court recognizes the petitioner's role as a future healthcare provider and acknowledges the responsibility they will have in influencing the well-being of the community. The Court emphasizes that every nation must strive for academic excellence, especially in fields like medicine, which have a direct impact on public health. A society that allows widespread incompetency cannot thrive, and therefore, educational standards must not be allowed to be degraded to substandard levels," it added.The court while referring to the facts of one of the petitions in the batch ( all involving similar question of facts and law), noted that the petitioner had qualified NEET and while being in the first year of college, he was diagnosed with dengue owing to which he could not fulfil the minimum attendance criteria of 75% in theory and 80% in practical and clinic. Resultantly, he was not allowed to appear in the examination.It was argued on behalf of the petitioner that failure to attend the prescribed minimum number of classes was owing to the petitioner's illness and no fault of his own. Hence, instead of making him suffer loss of one year, he should have been allowed to appear in supplementary examination. On the contrary, the counsel for the respondents argued that the debarment was right on account of petitioner's failure to attend minimum number of classes. And since the petitioner did not appear in the main examination, he could not be allowed to appear even in the supplementary examinations. After hearing the contentions, the Court said that since the petitioner did not complete the requisite number of attendance for theory and practical and stay application of the petitioner has also been dismissed by a coordinate bench in October 2024, no relief can be granted to the petitioners at this stage. Accordingly, the petitions were dismissed.Case Title: Surendra Bisnoi v State of Rajasthan & Ors, and other connected petitionsCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Raj) 75Click Here To Read/Download Order

Medical Education Needs High Standards, It Affects Public Healthcare: Rajasthan HC Nixes Students' Pleas Barred From Exam For Less Attendance

Nupur Agrawal

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