Case Note & Summary
The petitioners, students who appeared for the common entrance test for Health Science Degree Course (MH-CET 2015) conducted on 7th May 2015, challenged the notification dated 5th June 2015 issued by the Director of Medical Education and Research (DMER), Mumbai. The notification modified the answer key for question No. 178 (Version 11) from option 'B' to option 'C'. The petitioners contended that the original answer key published by the respondents had option 'C' as the correct answer, and they had answered based on the government-prescribed textbook for Biology. They argued that there was no reason or basis for the modification. The court, hearing the matter urgently, noted that the controversy was limited to the modification of the answer key. The court observed that the petitioners' answers were based on the prescribed textbook and that the modification appeared arbitrary. The court directed that the original answer key be restored and that the petitioners' answer sheets be evaluated treating option 'C' as the correct answer for question No. 178. The petition was allowed in those terms.
Headnote
A) Examination Law - Answer Key Modification - Judicial Review - The court examined the validity of the decision to modify the answer key for question No. 178 of MH-CET 2015 from option 'C' to option 'B' - Held that the modification was arbitrary and without basis, as the original answer 'C' was correct based on the government-prescribed textbook for Biology - The court directed that the original answer key be restored and petitioners' answers be evaluated accordingly (Paras 2-5).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the respondents were justified in modifying the answer key for question No. 178 of MH-CET 2015 from option 'C' to option 'B', and whether the petitioners' answers based on the government-prescribed textbook should be accepted.
Final Decision
The court allowed the petition, quashed the modification of the answer key for question No. 178, and directed that the original answer key (option 'C') be restored and petitioners' answer sheets be evaluated accordingly.
Law Points
- Examination law
- Answer key modification
- Judicial review of academic decisions
- Reliance on prescribed textbooks
- Natural justice
