Supreme Court Refuses To Direct Reopening Of Poral To Reverify CBSE Class XII Answer Sheets
The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 25) refused to direct the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to reopen its post-result window for on-screen verification of answer sheets, holding that the notified correction window had been available to all candidates for a specified period.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymala Bagchi and Justice V Mohana declined to intervene in the matter after CBSE submitted that 1.68 lakh students had successfully applied for on-screen verification during the designated window.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the petitioners sought a fresh one-week window, arguing that technical glitches on the CBSE website had prevented some students from submitting their applications.
The petitioners contended that only a limited number of candidates had been affected by the alleged technical problems and that reopening the portal for a week would not cause significant prejudice.
The Chief Justice, however, questioned why the court should direct CBSE to reopen the facility after the notified deadline had expired.
“If you don't use the bus, you miss the bus,” CJI Surya Kant remarked, emphasizing that the verification window had been open to all eligible candidates for a specified period.
The bench also expressed concern that reopening the portal could result in a large number of fresh claims. “Today you are asking us to reopen it. Tomorrow it will lead to revival of claims by thousands, even lakhs,” the Chief Justice observed.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for CBSE, submitted that 1.68 lakh students had successfully availed themselves of the verification facility during the notified period. He also pointed out that the Delhi High Court had already dismissed a similar challenge.
The court further noted that admissions based on the CBSE results had already taken place, making it difficult to reopen the process at this stage.
Concluding that there was no reason to interfere, the Supreme Court dismissed the plea seeking reopening of the on-screen verification window.
“No reason to intervene,” the court said in its order.