Delhi HC affirms DU’s discretion in eranting centenary exam chances

The Delhi High Court has observed that the Delhi University's (DU) centenary chances provided to the ex-students to reappear in the examinations they have not yet cleared were not a matter of "right".

The high court said the decisions of the varsity to grant a centenary chance and the terms on which it is to be granted are matters belonging to the realm of pure academic policy.

"The centenary chances were not a matter of right. Neither did any candidate, who had failed to clear all papers within the maximum span period of the course, have a right to seek a further chance to clear the papers, nor did the DU have any obligation to provide any such chance.

"Both centenary chances were beneficial dispensations provided by the DU suo motu as it were, as part of its centenary celebrations. They were, therefore, in the nature of a benefice, not a right," Justice C Hari Shankar said.

The high court said the terms on which such a benefit was to be extended to the ex-students were also a matter entirely within the DU's province and there was no legally enforceable obligation on the varsity to provide any centenary chance.