Dismissed

Athul P.Santhosh v. the State of Tamil Nadu

Madras HC18 Mar 2026WP/11033/2026

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

An M.B.B.S. student who failed the Biochemistry supplementary practical examination sought mandamus for re-verification of his answer paper. The college had no provision for re-verification or re-evaluation of practical examinations. The court held it could not direct consideration of his representations absent such a provision and dismissed the petition.

What the court decided

AI extract

Athul P.Santhosh Vs the State of Tamil Nadu — Education and Admissions | Madras HC (2026)

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WP No. 11033 of 2026

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 18-03-2026

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CORAM

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THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.DHANDAPANI

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W.P. No. 11033 of 2026

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Athul P.Santhosh S/o.Dr.P.Santhosh Kumar M.B.B.S. Student Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute A Unit of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Thiruporur to Guduvancherry Road Ammapettai Village, Nellikuppam Post Chengalpattu District 603108.

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..Petitioner(s)

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The State of Tamil Nadu Rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government Health and Family Welfare Department Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai 600009

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The Director of Medical Education And Research Kilpauk, Chennai 600010.

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The National Medical Commission Rep. by its Secretary, Pocket -14 Sector -8 Dwarka Phase I, New Delhi 110077.

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The Registrar Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry 607402.

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__________ Page1 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No. 11033 of 2026

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The Dean

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Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute

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A Unit of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Thiruporur to Guduvancherry Road Ammapettai Village, Nellikuppam Post Chengalpattu District 603108.

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The Controller Of Examinations Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute

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A Unit of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Thiruporur to Guduvancherry Road Ammapettai Village, Nellikuppam Post Chengalpattu District 603108.

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..Respondent(s)

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PRAYER : The Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to re-verify the Biochemistry Practical Paper (Supplementary) with proper awarding of marks and to declare the petitioner pass in the subject Biochemistry to enable the petitioner to get along with second year M.B.B.S. batch-mates in consideration of representation submitted by the petitioner dated 12.12.2025 and 14.03.2026 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

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For Petitioner(s): Mr. J.Jayamalan For Respondent(s): Mr. E. Sundaram, Government Advocate for R1 and R2 Mr. A. Kumaraguru for R3

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Page2 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No. 11033 of 2026

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ORDER

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The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to re-verify the Biochemistry practical paper (Supplementary) with proper award of marks and consequently declare the petitioner as having passed in the subject of Biochemistry, so as to enable the petitioner to continue along with the second-year M.B.B.S batchmates, by considering the representations submitted by the petitioner dated 12.12.2025 and 14.03.2026 within a time framed to be fixed by this Court.

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The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner had appeared for the first year M.B.B.S. Examination in (i) Anatomy (ii) Physiology and (iii) Biochemistry including the practical examination in each subject. Upon completion of the theory and practical examinations, the petitioner passed in Anatomy. However, in Physiology and Biochemistry, the petitioner secured 123 and 136 marks respectively out of 150 marks and declared as "Fail". Subsequently, the petitioner was permitted to appear for the supplementary examinations in Physiology and Biochemistry followed by supplementary practical examinations.

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Page3 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No. 11033 of 2026

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The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that upon publication of the supplementary examination results, the petitioner was declared "Pass" in Physiology, but was declared "Fail" in Biochemistry, having secured only 34 marks in the Practical + Oral. In such circumstances, the petitioner approached the respondent College seeking re-verification of the Biochemistry Practical paper. However, the officials of the Biochemistry Department declined to reverify the same stating that there is no provision for revaluation or re-verification. Thereafter, the petitioner submitted representations on 12.12.2025 and 14.03.2026, however, no orders have been passed thereon. Aggrieved by the same, the present Writ Petition has been filed.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that this Court may

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issue appropriate directions to the respondents to consider the petitioner's representations and pass appropriate orders.

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Per contra, the learned counsel for the respondents submitted that there is no provision for re-verification or re-evaluation of practical examinations. In the absence of such provision, the respondents are not competent to consider the petitioner's request. Hence, he prayed for dismissal of the Writ Petition.

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Page4 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No. 11033 of 2026

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In view of the above, this Court finds that there is no provision for

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re-verification or re-evaluation of the Biochemistry practical examination. In the absence of any such provision, the respondents cannot be directed to consider the petitioner’s representations. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs.

18-03-2026

Asi

The Principal Secretary to Government Health and Family Welfare Department Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai 600009

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The Director of Medical Education And Research Kilpauk, Chennai 600010.

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The National Medical Commission Rep. by its Secretary Pocket -14 Sector -8 Dwarka Phase I, New Delhi 110077.

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The Registrar Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Pillayarkuppam, Puducherry 607402.

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__________ Page5 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

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WP No. 11033 of 2026

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The Dean

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Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute A Unit of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Thiruporur to Guduvancherry Road Ammapettai Village, Nellikuppam Post Chengalpattu District 603108.

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The Controller Of Examinations Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute A Unit of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry (Deemed to be University) Thiruporur to Guduvancherry Road Ammapettai Village, Nellikuppam Post Chengalpattu District 603108.

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__________ Page6 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

WP No. 11033 of 2026

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

Asi

W.P. No. 11033 of 2026

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18-03-2026

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__________ Page7 of 7

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https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis

Athul P.Santhosh v. the State of Tamil Nadu

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

Athul P.Santhosh v. the State of Tamil Nadu

Case brief

What is this about?

What the court decided

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