In Rumaisa Arwa v. State of Madhya Pradesh & Ors. , the Madhya Pradesh High Court held that marriage and pregnancy cannot be grounds to deny a woman her right to education. The petitioner, a BUMS student, was barred from appearing in exams due to shortage of attendance after childbirth. The college granted only limited relaxation despite UGC’s 2021 directive requiring maternity policies for female students. The Court ruled that attendance rules cannot be applied mechanically when they undermine fundamental rights under Article 21. It emphasized that pregnancy is a natural biological condition, not misconduct, and educational institutions must adopt a gender-sensitive approach. Maternity protection principles applicable to working women were extended to students as well. Allowing the writ petition, the Court directed the college to grant attendance relaxation up to 75%, declare her results, and permit continuation of studies, reinforcing that education and dignity cannot be sacrificed due to motherhood.