Apex Court Permits Minor Student's Examination Despite School's Objections to Prevent Academic Year Loss
In a significant judgment delivered on February 13, 2026, the Supreme Court of India has intervened to ensure that a minor student, who was rusticated from his school, is allowed to appear for his 10th standard examinations conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE). The bench, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, addressed the urgent need to prevent the loss of an academic year for the student amidst controversies surrounding his rustication.
The case, titled Jitendra Kumar Yadav v. State of Madhya Pradesh, involved the petitioner's son who was rusticated from his school for unspecified reasons deemed serious by the school authorities. The petitioner argued that the punishment was disproportionate and that his son had been pursuing his studies privately with the help of tutors. With the examinations commencing on February 17, 2026, the petitioner sought the court's intervention to allow his son to take the exams, emphasizing the severe impact of losing an academic year.
Despite strong objections from the school, represented by counsel, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the student. The court directed the CISCE to issue an Admit Card/Hall Ticket to the student and allowed him to appear for the exams. The school was given the liberty to conduct the exams in a separate room to address their concerns while ensuring the student's participation.
Furthermore, the school was instructed to conduct internal assessments for subjects like Physical Education and Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and submit the results to the CISCE. The order is provisional, subject to the outcome of the special leave petition, and aims to balance the school's disciplinary measures with the student's right to education.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's role in safeguarding educational opportunities for students, especially minors, and highlights the importance of proportionality in disciplinary actions by educational institutions.
Bottom Line:
Rustication of a student from school - Disproportionate punishment - Supreme Court permits the student to appear for the examination despite objections by the school, ensuring the student's academic year is not lost.
Statutory provision(s): Education Law
Jitendra Kumar Yadav v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (SC) : Law Finder Doc id # 2853015
