Marriage or Pregnancy Cannot Obstruct Education: MP High Court Directs College to Grant Attendance Relaxation

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has ruled that marriage and pregnancy cannot become barriers to a woman’s right to education.

The Court directed educational institutions to grant maternity or child care leave and relax attendance requirements for female students when required.

Observing that maternity protection available in workplaces must extend to academic institutions, the Bench held that denying examinations due to pregnancy defeats women’s educational rights.

The Court also stressed that colleges should provide extra classes, study material, and academic support during pregnancy or after childbirth, ensuring that women are not forced to choose between education and motherhood.