Karnataka High Court Asks NLSIU To Accommodate Student With Learning Disability Struggling With Arithmetic If She Fails In Economics
Disposing of a plea by an National Law School India University (NLSIU) student seeking alternate subject/exemption from studying Economics in view of her disability, the Karnataka High Court asked the varsity to have a liberal approach enabling the student to pass her first year course in case is clears all other subjects except Economics.Justice R Devdas disposed the petition of a student who...
Disposing of a plea by an National Law School India University (NLSIU) student seeking alternate subject/exemption from studying Economics in view of her disability, the Karnataka High Court asked the varsity to have a liberal approach enabling the student to pass her first year course in case is clears all other subjects except Economics.
Justice R Devdas disposed the petition of a student who is stated to be suffering from specific learning disability known as 'Dyscalculia' resulting in difficulty in learning or comprehending Arithmetics, difficulty in understanding numbers, difficulty learning how to manipulate numbers, to perform mathematical calculations and difficulty in applying and analyzing such applications in/of Mathematics.
The court said:
“The writ petition is accordingly disposed of, while directing the second respondent-NLSIU to have due regard to the disability suffered by the petitioner and if the petitioner clears all the other subjects and is not able to clear the subjects Economy and/or 'History of Economic Thought', a liberal approach shall be had to enable the petitioner to clear the first year course. Appropriate orders in that regard shall be passed by the Vice Chancellor of the second respondent NLSIU, under such circumstances”.
She had made a request to NLSIU and its Vice Chancellor to take up the matter with the Academic Review Committee of the University to make some exception or exemption in the case of the petitioner, since the petitioner is unable to read and understand Economics or Economic concepts.
NLSIU argued that the University or the Academic Administration is in no way contesting the disability of the petitioner. However, it was submitted that having regard to the Rules prescribed by the Bar Council of India, NLSIU has prepared the Programme and Course Curriculum.
The varsity submitted that the course curriculum of NLSIU does not offer major or minor subjects in the first year. The course is designed in such a way that in first year general subjects are prescribed to enable the students to touch upon the basics such as legal methods, society, numbers, narrative, in the first semester.
It was argued that in the second semester, subjects prescribed are Law of Tort, Contracts-I, Economy, Power. In the third semester, students are to study Contracts-II, Criminal Law, Property Law, History. It was stated that the provision for opting major and minor subjects would commence from the second year.
The University informed that the student can opt out of 'Numbers course' and take up 'History of Economic Thought course', which will not involve any mathematical calculation or concepts.
It was stated that option is also given to the petitioner that in the subject-Economy, alternate question paper for in class assignments and end term examination in subjects involving mathematical calculations will be given to the petitioner so that the questions will not test the petitioner on calculation, but it will be restricted to concepts.
The court noted that the student, who appeared in person, is sharp and able to understand the minutest of details and nuances of the subject matter and the discussion in the Court room. This Court cannot but notice the fact that the petitioner has got through tough competition and obtained a seat at NLSIU.
The court further noted the submissions of the varsity and said, "Court is of the considered opinion that the second respondent-NLSIU has given the best options to the petitioner, having regard to the disability of the petitioner. The petitioner may opt for such choice given by the second respondent-NLSIU".
The plea was disposed of.
Case Title: ABC AND State of Karnataka & Others
Appearance: Party in Person.
AGA B P Radha for R1.
Advocate Aditya Narayan for R2.
Advocate Anubha Srivastava for R3.
Advocate Anusha Asundi for Advocate A Madhusudhana Rao for R4.
Citation No: 2025 LiveLaw (Kar) 319
Case No: WRIT PETITION NO.21783 OF 2024