Authority: High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati (Special Original Jurisdiction)

Order Date: 13 October 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Didla Navyasri, a 30‑year‑old dental student (GITAM Dental College, Visakhapatnam) seeking to appear for five backlog BDS subjects.
  • Respondents: (1) State of Andhra Pradesh, (2) Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, (3) Controller of Examinations, Dr NTR University, (4) GITAM Dental College and Hospital, (5) National Dental Commission.
  • Nature of Proceeding: Writ Petition under Article 226 and Section 151 CPC seeking a writ of mandamus to compel respondents 2‑4 to accept the petitioner’s examination fee, upload her details on the MEdHAS portal, issue a hall ticket, and permit her to sit for the pending subjects scheduled for October/November 2026.
  • Background: The petitioner cleared all BDS papers in the March 2026 examination except five subjects: Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics, Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Public Health Dentistry, Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry, and Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics. The university failed to conduct the 2025 supplementary examinations, causing the petitioner to exceed the statutory 8‑year completion window. A prior writ (W.P. No. 8161 of 2026) had compelled the university to allow her to sit for the March 2026 exams, which she did, but the backlog remained.
  • Petitioner’s Representation: Dated 26‑08‑2026, requesting compassionate indulgence to permit her to appear for the October/November 2026 exams.
  • Respondents’ Argument: Citing a Supreme Court observation that students who do not complete the BDS course within the prescribed period are ineligible for relief.
  • Court’s Observations: The university’s lapse in conducting the 2025 supplementary exams forced the petitioner beyond the 8‑year limit. While the Supreme Court’s decision addressed a different issue, the High Court considered the unique factual matrix and deemed a one‑time exemption appropriate.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition is disposed, directing respondents 2‑4 to:

1. Accept the petitioner’s examination fee for the five backlog subjects.

2. Upload her particulars on the MEdHAS portal.

3. Issue the hall ticket for the examinations scheduled as follows:

  • Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics – 24‑10‑2026
  • Oral Maxillofacial Surgery – 26‑10‑2026
  • Public Health Dentistry – 28‑10‑2026
  • Paediatric & Preventive Dentistry – 02‑11‑2026
  • Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopaedics – 04‑11‑2026

4. Permit her to appear for these exams, declare the results, allow her to undergo the one‑year compulsory rotatory internship, and award the BDS degree upon passing.

  • The order is issued as a one‑time measure and cannot be used as precedent.
  • No order as to costs; any miscellaneous petitions pending shall stand closed.

Topics: Legal Relief, Dental Education