HC slams institute for denying admission of diabetic student:Court says, ‘Illness can’t be grounds to withhold education’

The Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that no student can be denied the right to education on the grounds of illness or disability. The judgment comes in a case where the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) refused admission to a BPEd candidate due to Type-1 diabetes. The court has now directed the institute to grant him admission. Cleared all exams, yet declared ineligible in medical test The petitioner, Pragyansh, had appeared for the BPEd admission process, which included a written examination, physical fitness test and skill test. He successfully cleared all stages and received an allotment letter on August 8, 2025. However, during the medical examination, LNIPE declared him unfit solely because he has Type-1 diabetes, and denied him admission. The student argued before the High Court that he has consistently participated in district and state-level badminton events, demonstrating that he meets the physical demands of the course. The court accepted this contention and held that a diagnosis of diabetes alone cannot be grounds for disqualification. Court directs, ‘Institutions must ensure reasonable accommodation’ In a significant observation, the High Court said that the institute must provide reasonable accommodation to students with medical conditions. It noted that ordinary Indian meals—dal, rice, roti, vegetables and curd—are suitable for diabetic patients, and allowing the student to keep insulin in a mini-fridge would not create any burden on the institution. The bench stated that this case concerns access to education, not employment standards, and educational institutes are obligated to ensure that students are not deprived of learning opportunities due to illness or disability. What is Type-1 diabetes? Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system destroys insulin-producing pancreatic cells. It usually begins in childhood or adolescence, and patients must rely on lifelong insulin therapy. High blood sugar levels lead to fatigue, excessive urination and increased thirst. Frequent urination depletes body fluids, often causing dehydration, making proper and regular hydration essential for patients. Diabetes cases rising in India According to research by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around 11% of India’s population, approximately 7.7 crore people, currently live with diabetes. Another 15% are pre-diabetic, indicating a high likelihood of developing the disease without timely lifestyle changes. Experts warn that without awareness and preventive action, over one-fourth of India’s population could eventually become diabetic.