Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has issued an order calling for an affidavit on the University of Mumbai’s implementation of minimum attendance requirements for students, while examining its compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations.
Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar heard the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) addressing attendance norms in educational institutions.
University of Mumbai’s Attendance Policy Under Legal Scrutiny
The court examined PIL No. 14 of 2024, filed by Sharmila Ghuge against the University of Mumbai and others.
UGC Regulations and Bar Council of India’s Guidelines on Student Attendance
The court took note of the UGC’s position, outlined in its affidavit, stating: “According to the UGC (Minimum Standards of Instruction for the Grant of First Degree through Formal Education) Regulations, 2003, universities must ensure not less than 180 actual teaching days in an academic year, excluding holidays and vacations. Additionally, student attendance requirements for examination eligibility shall not be less than 75% of total lectures, tutorials, seminars, and practicals.”
The court emphasized two key regulations: “Regulation 4.1 mandates universities to ensure at least 180 actual teaching days in an academic year. Regulation 5.8 requires universities to prescribe minimum attendance requirements, which ordinarily shall not be less than 75% of total academic activities.”
In response to these regulations, the court directed the University of Mumbai to file an affidavit by November 14, 2024, disclosing whether it has prescribed minimum attendance requirements for examination eligibility.
The court also noted a Bar Council of India circular dated September 24, 2024, addressing compliance with attendance norms under Rule 12 of the Rules of Legal Education.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on November 28, 2024, with directions for the respondents to file reply affidavits by November 14, 2024, and the petitioner to file rejoinder affidavits before the next hearing.
Adv. Sumit Khanna appeared for the petitioner.
Adv. Raufa Shaikh appeared for the University of Mumbai.
Adv. Rui Rodrigues appeared for respondent No. 3.
Adv. Shekhar Jagtap appeared for the Bar Council of India.
Case title: Sharmila Ghuge v. University of Mumbai & Others
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