Telangana High Court Suspends Final Marks List for Group-I Exam Amid Allegations of Procedural Irregularities
Court Upholds Alternative Measures for Re-evaluation or Re-conducting Mains Exam; Interim Suspension Granted
In a significant development, the Telangana High Court has suspended the Final Marks List dated March 10, 2025, and the General Ranking List dated March 30, 2025, for the Group-I examination conducted by the Telangana Public Service Commission (TPSC). The decision was made following allegations of procedural irregularities and lack of transparency in the examination process.
The learned writ Court had initially set aside these lists, issuing alternative directives to either re-evaluate the answer sheets using a moderation method or re-conduct the Mains examination for candidates who cleared the prelims. This decision was based on alleged deviations from established rules and procedures, drawing reference from the Supreme Court judgment in Sanjay Singh v. U.P. Public Service Commission, Allahabad.
The Telangana Public Service Commission defended the integrity of the examination process, denying allegations of bias and procedural misconduct. The Commission emphasized that there was no evidence of question paper leakage or mass irregularities. Despite this defense, the writ Court's order cast a shadow on the Commission, a constitutional body responsible for conducting recruitment examinations in the state.
The appellants, including the Commission and successful candidates, challenged the writ Court's decision, arguing that the examination was conducted with adherence to rules and procedures. The appellants contended that the writ Court's decision was erroneous and sought a stay on the impugned order, highlighting the stigma it imposed on the Commission.
On the other side, the respondents supported the writ Court’s decision, asserting that the examination process was marred by procedural irregularities and lack of rule-based evaluation. They argued that the findings of the writ Court were well-considered and justified in setting aside the Final Marks List and General Ranking List.
In response to these appeals, the High Court granted an interim suspension of the writ Court’s operative directions. The Court ordered that any appointments made in the meantime would be subject to the outcome of the ongoing appeals, ensuring no permanent decisions are made until the appeals are resolved.
The case is set for further hearing on October 15, 2025, with both parties agreeing to submit their written submissions by October 10, 2025. This ruling highlights the ongoing judicial scrutiny over the transparency and procedural integrity in public examinations conducted by state commissions.
Bottom Line:
Recruitment process - Telangana Public Service Commission's Group-I examination - Final Marks List and General Ranking List were set aside due to alleged procedural irregularities and lack of transparency - Writ Court's alternative directions to either re-evaluate the answer sheets using moderation method or re-conduct the Mains examination upheld, subject to appeal.
Statutory provision(s): Sanjay Singh v. U.P. Public Service Commission, Allahabad, (2007) 3 SCC 720
