By Rajesh Pandey
While hearing a writ petition alleging serious irregularities in the UP-PCSJ (mains) examination 2022, the Allahabad High Court on Friday directed the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to submit the original answer books of petitioners in sealed covers for judicial scrutiny.
The court further directed the UPPSC to upload the written and interview marks of all petitioners on its website by December 7, 2024, ensuring transparency.
After passing the above directives, a division bench comprising Justice Saumitra Dayal Singh and Justice Donadi Ramesh fixed December 12 for the next matter hearing.
The petitioner – Shravan Pandey and others claimed arbitrary marking and unauthorized tampering with scores.
The petitioner’s counsel contended that several candidates had been unfairly awarded zero or drastically reduced marks despite providing correct answers. They also highlighted allegations of deliberate reductions in scores after the initial evaluation, raising questions about the transparency and integrity of UPPSC’s examination processes.
In its order, the court identified that there were two major grievances raised by the petitioners in the writ petition. First, the awarding of zero or unreasonably low marks to correct answers. Secondly, the alleged tampering with marks to reduce candidates’ scores post-evaluation.
Responding to these concerns of the petitioner, the court directed UPPSC to take immediate remedial measures including uploading candidates’ written and interview marks. “UPPSC must upload the written and interview marks of all petitioners on its website by December 7, 2024, ensuring transparency”, the court added.
Secondly, the court directed the UPPSC to produce original answer sheets for the court’s inspection. “The original, disputed answer books must be presented in sealed covers for the court’s inspection”, the court added.