1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 15159 of 2024 Decided on: 19.06.2026 Varun Sindhi …..Petitioner Versus Union of India and others ..Respondents ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner: Ms. Neelam Kaplas, Advoate. For the Respondents: Mr. Janak Raj Thakur, Senior Panel Counsel for respondents No. 1, 2, 4 & 5. Mr. L.N.Sharma, Additional Advocate General, for respondent No.3. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge Petitioner seeks directions to the respondent No.4- National Institute of Fashion Technology to allow him to complete his degree of Bachelor of Fashion Technology by readmitting him in 5th Semester and thereafter, to permit him to complete 5th to 8th Semesters of this course. 2. Heard learned counsel for the parties and considered the case file. 3. Petitioner was student of respondent No.4- Institute, Batch 2013-2017. He completed his course till 1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 4th semesters and but failed in the 5th Semester examination conducted in July, 2015. Petitioner thereafter did not pursue his studies. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that petitioner belongs to a poor family. On account of financial crunch, he could not pursue the course and was compelled to drop out; That petitioner had preferred Varun Sindhi versus Union of India and others2 with the same cause as made in the instant writ petition. The said writ petition was disposed of on 06.04.2024 with directions to the Competent Authority to decide petitioner’s representation dated 16.08.2023. The respondent No.4 vide its order dated 27.08.2024 rejected the representation, hence, the grievance. 4. While rejecting the representation of the petitioner, respondent No.4 in the impugned order has made reference to point No.5.8.2 of NIFT Academic Manual that provides for “Duration of Course” as under:- “Duration of course  A student can take a maximum of 6 (six) years for completion of a UG programme and 4 ( four) years for PG programme from the date of registration.  Any student found failing in a semester for the third time should be asked to withdraw from the programme. 2CWP No.7857/2024, decided on 06.08.2024. 3  The period mentioned above (5.8.2.point-i) includes any period of leave of absence availed by the student.” The maximum duration for completion of course in question was six years. The petitioner belonged to batch 2013-17. Six years lapsed in 2019. First writ petition was preferred by the petitioner in the year 2024. Even at that stage, six years had passed beyond the maximum duration available for completion of course. In case the petitioner had financial difficulty in obtaining admission in 5th Semester as is projected now, it was for him to seek appropriate remedy at the relevant time. The relief prayed for by the petitioner now, cannot be granted to him at this belated stage and contrary to the applicable rules position. Accordingly, petition is dismissed. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua June 19, 2026 Judge yogesh