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

Order Date: 05.10.2026

Case Overview

  • Petition No. 26878 of 2026 filed under Article 226 of the Constitution by D. Srividhya, a 26‑year‑old BDS student, seeking a writ of mandamus to permit payment of examination fee and appearance in the Final BDS examination for Oral Medicine, Diagnosis and Radiology (theory & practical) scheduled for Oct/Nov 2026.
  • Respondents: (1) State of Andhra Pradesh, (2) Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, (3) Controller of Examinations, Dr NTR University, (4) Sree Sai Dental College and Research Institute, (5) National Dental Commission.
  • Background: The petitioner cleared all BDS subjects in the March 2026 examinations except the aforementioned paper. She could not appear for the supplementary examinations in Oct‑Nov 2025 because they were not conducted; the university delayed the schedule, causing her to exceed the statutory 8‑year completion window.
  • The petitioner had previously filed W.P. No. 8161 of 2026, where the Court directed respondents to allow appearance in the March 2026 exams. The university now refuses her request for the Oct/Nov 2026 exam, citing the 8‑year limit.
  • Counsel for the petitioner (Kopparthi Sumathi) argued compassionate grounds and the university’s lapse. Respondent counsel cited a Supreme Court observation (Siddanth Mahajan Vs. State of Rajasthan, 2025 INSC 1458) that students who do not complete within 8 years cannot be granted relief.
  • The Court noted that the university’s failure to conduct the 2025 supplementary exams forced the petitioner to miss her chance, and that granting a one‑time opportunity is justified given the academic schedule lapse.

Final Outcome

  • The writ petition is disposed of. Respondents 2 to 4 (Dr NTR University, Controller of Examinations, Sree Sai Dental College) are directed to:

1. Accept the petitioner’s examination fee.

2. Upload her particulars on the MEdHAS portal.

3. Issue the hall ticket for the Oral Medicine, Diagnosis & Radiology exam to be held in Oct/Nov 2026.

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

  • The order is issued as a one‑time measure and expressly stated not to set a precedent.
  • No order as to costs; any miscellaneous petitions pending shall stand closed.
  • The order is marked as Non‑reportable.

Topics: Legal Relief, Dental Education, Higher Education Regulation