Madras High Court Rejects Disabled Candidate’s Plea for Relaxation in Exam Rules

Last Updated on March 19, 2025 by Athi Venkatesh

The Madras High Court has refused to grant relief to a disabled candidate who failed to sign his answer sheet during the Combined Civil Services Examination-IV conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC).

Justice CV Karthikeyan delivered the verdict in Mohammed Ibrahim v. The Secretary, TNPSC and Another. The petitioner, Mohammed Ibrahim, who has a 60% locomotive disability, appeared for the Group IV Services exam and was allotted a scribe and separate room. However, after completing the exam, he failed to sign the answer sheet as required.

Ibrahim approached the court seeking to quash his result, evaluate his OMR sheet, and allow him to proceed to certificate verification. His counsel argued that the court could adopt a lenient approach by verifying his answer sheet based on the registration number, despite the missing signature.

However, TNPSC submitted that the exam instructions clearly required candidates to sign the answer sheet. If unable to sign, candidates were permitted to affix a thumb impression. Clause 4.10 of the instructions also stated that candidates unable to use both hands, with permission to use a scribe, could leave the signature and thumb impression columns blank. Ibrahim, however, only claimed paralysis in his right hand and did not state that both hands were non-functional.

The court held that acceding to Ibrahim’s request would amount to altering the exam rules, which are mandatory. Justice Karthikeyan noted that relaxing conditions for one candidate would set a precedent, potentially opening the door for others who committed irregularities to seek relief.

Finding no merit in the plea, the court dismissed the petition and upheld TNPSC’s decision not to evaluate the answer sheet.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. R. Sivakumar
Counsel for Respondents: Ms. G. Hema, Standing Counsel