Improper OMR Shading Leads to Automatic Rejection; Judicial Interference in Automated Evaluation Would 'Open a Pandora’s Box' in Public Exams

The appellant, a candidate in a recruitment examination conducted by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC), challenged the selection list dated 05.05.2025.

The appellant sought a direction to validate his OMR answer sheet, which had been rejected by the automated system.

The Writ Court, in its order dated 04.08.2025, found that the appellant failed to correctly shade the question booklet number and had engaged in "double shading".

Consequently, the automated evaluation system rejected the sheet as unfit for valuation.

The appellant filed this Writ Appeal under Clause 15 of Letters Patent to set aside the Writ Court’s order.

1. Whether the rejection of an OMR sheet due to improper shading/double shading by a candidate constitutes a legal infirmity warranting judicial interference.

2. Whether the Court can interfere with automated evaluation processes designed to maintain accuracy and transparency in public examinations.

The Court applied the principle of strict adherence to examination instructions, noting that candidate instructions explicitly state that accurate shading of registration/booklet numbers is mandatory for OMR valuation.

The Court emphasized the doctrine of judicial restraint regarding technology-based evaluation systems, holding that such automated processes are utilized to ensure institutional accuracy and transparency.

The Court examined the respondent’s contention that the OMR sheet was rejected by an automated system because the appellant failed to follow clear instructions regarding shading.

The Court reasoned that since valuation is carried out through an automated process, improper or double shading makes it difficult to reliably identify or process the OMR sheet.

The Court further observed that interfering with such technical failures caused by candidate negligence would "open a pandora’s box" and undermine the integrity of the system-based evaluation protocol, which is designed to be faultless and transparent.

The High Court dismissed the Writ Appeal, confirming that candidates must bear the consequences of failing to follow OMR shading instructions and that the automated rejection of such sheets is valid.