The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed petitions challenging the Haryana Civil Services (Executive Branch) preliminary examination answer key, ruling that courts cannot substitute the opinion of subject experts unless the alleged error is glaring and beyond doubt. The court also held that in case of ambiguity, the benefit must go to the examination authority rather than the candidate.
Court Upholds HPSC Transparency
Dismissing the petitions, the court observed that the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) had acted in a bona fide and transparent manner. It warned that any interference at the instance of a few unsuccessful candidates would stall the entire selection process.
Examination Process and Objections
The petitions challenged the result of the HCS (Executive Branch) and allied services examination conducted on April 26. After the exam, HPSC uploaded a provisional answer key on April 28 and invited objections. Subject experts reviewed the objections, leading to modifications in answers to certain questions. A revised answer key was uploaded on May 2, and the result was declared on May 4.
Petitioners' Allegations
The petitioners argued that answers to several questions in the General Studies paper and the Civil Services Aptitude Test were wrong and contrary to authentic material. On May 21, the High Court issued notice of motion, recording the petitioners' contention that both provisional and final answer keys were absolutely wrong and incorrect, rendering the competitive examination a farce.
Court's Directions and HPSC Response
The court directed the HPSC Secretary to file an affidavit with comments from the expert committee that decided the objections. It also asked the commission to specify the number of objections received and the time taken to decide them. HPSC informed the court that objections were reconsidered and a second expert opinion was obtained after the court's interim order, but no further changes were recommended.
