TNPG 2010 – Case Regarding Negative Marks Dismissed by High Court

From : http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/18/stories/2010031854010400.htm

Special Correspondent

Petitioner says he left out 10 questions based on instruction in booklet

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court has dismissed a petition by a doctor, who wanted the entrance examination relating to Tamil Nadu postgraduate degree/diploma/MDS/five-year MCH (neurosurgery) course for 2010-11 declared null and void.

The examination was conducted by the Secretary, Selection Committee, Directorate of Medical Education, on February 21.

The petitioner also sought a consequent direction to the committee to conduct the examination afresh.

V. Dharmalingam said in the prospectus issued for admission to the 2010-11 scheme of entrance examination, a clause stated that there would be no negative marks for incorrect answers.

But, in the question booklet it was mentioned that there would be negative mark for wrong answers. So, he left 10 questions unanswered.

In the counter, the Secretary of the Selection Committee stated that the statement in the booklet was a mistake. On noticing it, before the commencement of the examination, all candidates were informed through invigilators that there would be no negative marks for wrong answers.

No negative mark was awarded for wrong answers given by the candidates, including the petitioner, who was aware of the announcement made in the examination hall.

Only because of that was he emboldened to attempt 240 questions. Had all the attempted questions been correctly answered, his mark would have been 86.4 and not 51.84 out of 90.

Though the entrance examination was conducted on February 21, the petitioner had not submitted any objection to the authorities till the announcement of the results on February 23.

In his order, Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar said in the light of the specific averment by the Secretary, he found no case had been made out by the petitioner to grant the relief.

Before parting with the case, he observed that the authorities should have been more careful while printing the instructions in the question booklet to avoid confusion.

He expressed the hope that in future such mistakes would be avoided.

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