After BDS Student Says She Left Studies To Care For Mother With Cancer, Madras HC Orders 6-Week Consideration Of Her Return And Internship-Extension Pleas

The petitioner was admitted to the BDS course at Saveetha Dental College in 2019 and completed the first and second years without arrears.

She discontinued her studies to care for her seriously ill mother.

In June 2026, the institution orally rejected her request to resume the course, citing the maximum permissible completion period.

The petitioner stated that the nine-year period would expire only in 2028 and sought permission to rejoin, as well as a one-time one-year extension to complete the compulsory rotatory internship.

She submitted representations dated 23 June and 12 October 2026, which had not been decided when she filed this petition.

The petition was brought under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

The Court directed that the representations be considered on their merits and in accordance with the rules and regulations in force, while making clear that the petitioner could claim no special privilege or exemption from those requirements.

The judgment cites no specific statutory provision, regulation, or precedent.

The Court did not determine whether the petitioner was eligible to resume the course or obtain an internship extension.

Instead, noting that the representations remained undecided, it required the relevant respondents to consider them under the governing rules and regulations.

It expressly declined to express any opinion on the merits of the claim.

No special privilege or exemption was granted, and the petition was disposed of without costs.