15 JEE aspirants alleging technical glitches in first session get Top Court's nod to appear for additional session tomorrow

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Synopsis

The information bulletin of JEE provides that the entrance exam would be conducted in 2 sessions. If a candidate appears in more than one sessions the best of the score will be used for preparation of the merit list. The National Testing Agency, in response to the representation made by some students, has decided to hold an additional session for JEE mains on July 30, 2022.

A Supreme Court bench of Justices Chandrachud and Pardiwala today permitted 15 JEE aspirants, who allegedly faced technical glitches in the first session held last month, to appear for the additional session of JEE Mains scheduled on July 30, 2022.

The information bulletin of JEE provides that the entrance exam would be conducted in 2 sessions (first and second). The bulletin, further indicates that if a candidate appears in more than one session the best of the score will be used for the preparation of the merit list.

Gopal Sankaranarayanan, Sr. Adv, appearing for the petitioners,  argued that they approached the apex court, with the grievance that during JEE Mains first session held in June 2022, they faced technical difficulties including server issues, questions not loading, timers running out prematurely and computers shutting down, as a result of which they lost a significant amount of time.

He submitted that the second session of JEE Mains is presently underway and is being conducted from 25 July to 30 July. He further informed that the National Testing Agency, in response to the representation by some students, has decided to hold an additional session for JEE mains on July 30, 2022.

Rupesh Kumar, Standing Counsel for NTA on instruction, submitted that NTA received about 550 representations, from which it was found that about 254 candidates had genuine difficulties and therefore, they have been permitted to appear for the additional session.

Court, on hearing the submissions, observed that in the present proceedings, there are 15 petitioners before the court, among whom, 7  have furnished representations to the NTA. The agency has permitted 3 candidates to appear for the additional session that is to be held tomorrow.

Considering the same, Court passed an order, directing NTA to permit all 15 petitioners to appear for the additional sessions and issue them admit cards in this regard.

The court further accepted NTA’s stand that the students, who have been permitted to appear in the additional session, would have to forego the results of the first session, and the results of the second session and the additional session would be taken into consideration for the preparation of merit list.

The petitions have thereby been disposed off.

Case title: Gaurav Bhairava Vs National Testing Agency