'Can't Seek Re-Exam For Being Late To Centre Due To Traffic Jam': Allahabad High Court Refuses Relief To JEE Main Candidates

The Allahabad High Court recently dismissed a plea by JEE (Main) 2025 candidates seeking a re-exam, who claimed that they could not reach the examination centre in time due to a traffic jam caused by the passage of the Chief Minister's convoy. A bench of Justice Jaspreet Singh, though expressing sympathy for the students, observed that a writ of mandamus could not be issued in the matter, as the case did not involve any legal right and its consequential denial, which would warrant judicial intervention. “In the instant case even though the petitioners have the legal right to appear in the examination but the same is qualified as per the instructions issued by the testing agency which is within their domain. In case of breach of following the instructions and more particularly on reaching late on account of traffic jam, then the petitioners cannot seek reexamination on some other date nor there is any legal obligation of the respondent no.2,” the bench observed in its order. Essentially, it was the case of the petitioners that they were allotted the second shift on April 2, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM; however, due to the passage of the Chief Minister's fleet at 1:30 PM, traffic was halted for approximately 30 minutes. As a result, heavy congestion ensued even after the roads reopened, which prevented them from reaching the examination centre by 2:30 PM (the gate closing time) and hence, they were denied entry to the centre. Before the HC, the petitioners, represented by Advocate Sabir Ali, claimed that they arrived at the centre just five minutes late (at 2:35 PM) and made humble requests to the college administration to allow them entry, but the same was denied. It was further submitted that they tried to contact the National Testing Agency (NTA) for permission to take the exam, however, the same was refused. Thus, they prayed that since the exam was being conducted over multiple days, they be permitted to appear on any date between April 4 and April 8, 2025. On the other hand, Deputy Solicitor General of India, Shashank Bhasin opposed their plea by contending that detailed instructions is in place for the candidates taking JEE, which clearly advise them to reach the examination centre two hours before the commencement of the examination. He further argued that in case of any reason, including the traffic jam/train/bus late, if the candidates reach the examination centre late, then in such circumstances, the examination authority cannot be asked to hold a fresh examination. Having heard both parties before it, the single judge opined that there are clear instructions to the JEE candidates to take adequate protection to reach in time. The bench also noted that the instructions indicate that in case of any traffic jam which may result in the candidate reaching time at the examination centre, then the examination authority cannot be compelled to take a fresh examination. In view of this, finding no justification to issue a mandamus in the instant matter as it opined that there was no obligation of the NTA to retake the examination, the Court dismissed the Candidates' plea. Case title - Rida Fatima Khan And Others vs. Union Of India Thru. Secy., Deptt. Of Higher Education, Ministry Of Education, New Delhi And Ors 2025 LiveLaw (AB) 153 Case Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (AB) 153 Click Here To Read/Download Order

'Can't Seek Re-Exam For Being Late To Centre Due To Traffic Jam': Allahabad High Court Refuses Relief To JEE Main Candidates

Sparsh Upadhyay

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