Lack Of Tech Knowledge No Excuse For Incomplete Online Application: Punjab & Haryana High Court Rejects ADA Aspirant's Plea
Rejecting the plea of lack of computer knowledge, the Court dismissed a writ petition filed by a candidate seeking issuance of an admit card for the Haryana Assistant District Attorney (ADA) who submitted an "incomplete form."[2025 LiveLaw (PH) 225]
Justice Nidhi Gupta said, "Contention of the petitioner that his computer related knowledge is still not vast, is baseless as computers are omnipresent and essential for survival in today's age. The same constitutes no ground for issuance of direction as prayed for."
The Court said that the lapse reflected a “lackadaisical attitude” and that courts cannot relax mandatory conditions at the last moment, especially when the examination is imminent.
The petitioner, Angrej Brar, approached the High Court seeking directions to the State authorities to accept his application form and issue an e-admit card for the ADA examination scheduled for July 5, 2026.
He contended that although he had submitted his application within time pursuant to Advertisement dated August 8, 2025, his application was later marked “incomplete” as he had failed to upload a PDF copy of the form after submission.
The petitioner argued that the requirement was technical in nature and not clearly indicated as mandatory at the time of submission.
It was submitted that the omission was a technical error and not intentional and the portal did not clearly indicate the need to upload the PDF after submission. Denial of admit card would jeopardize his career prospects and he should be granted an opportunity to rectify the defect, it was argued.
The State opposed the plea, arguing that the petitioner failed to comply with clear instructions and the error was entirely attributable to the petitioner. No relaxation could be granted at such a belated stage, especially days before the exam.
After hearing the submissions, the Court noted that, "the petitioner himself that E-Admit Card could not be issued due to own mistake of the petitioner, as, the petitioner failed to get a printout of the application form, convert it into PDF, and upload it on the portal. The above reflects the rank carelessness on part of the petitioner in submitting the application."
Highlighting the the petitioner's "lackadaisical attitude and carelessness" the judge pointed that the advertisement is dated 08.08.2025; and application was submitted in time by 02.09.2025. Date of issuance of E-Admit card was extended to 27.06.2026.
"During the long intervening period from 02.09.2025 till 27.06.2026, petitioner made no attempt to confirm that his application form was in order; or to verify that his application form had been submitted in accordance with the rules and regulations," it added.
Observing that, "simple instructions and timelines stipulated in submitting application forms, be adhered to. This is necessary not just to maintain the sanctity of the process but also to prevent possible chaos that would result if rules and conditions are permitted to be flouted or are not adhered to. This discipline and alertness is especially required if the candidate is aspiring to a public position," the plea was dismissed.
Ms. Savita Rana, Advocate for the petitioner.
Ms. Ruchi Sekhri, Addl. A.G., Haryana.
Title: Angrej Brar v. State of Haryana, Department of Personnel and Training through its Secretary and another