J. Albert Chandru v. The State Of Tamilnadu
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 04.06.2024 CORAM :
THE HONOURABLE MR.R.MAHADEVAN, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ Writ Appeal No. 3464 of 2023 and CMP Nos.28315 and 28316 of 2023 --- J. Albert Chandru .. Appellant
Versus
1. The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government School Education Department Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009
2. The Director of School Education DPI Campus, College Road Chennai - 600 006
3. Teachers Recruitment Board 4th Floor, DPI Campus College Road, Chennai - 600 006 .. Respondents Writ appeal filed under Clause 15 of Letters Patent against the order dated 29.11.2023 passed in WP No. 30121 of 2023 on the file of this Court. 1/17
For Appellant :
Ms. Kavitha Nithyanandam For Respondents :
Mrs.S.Anitha, Special Government Pleader for RR1 and 2 Mr. R. Neelakandan Additional Advocate General assisted by Mr. R. Siddharth Government Advocate for R3
JUDGMENT
[Judgment of the Court was delivered by Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice) The appellant has come forward with this intra-court appeal aggrieved by the order dated 29.11.2023 of the learned Judge, dismissing the Writ Petition No. 30121 0f 2023 filed by him.
2.
The appellant has filed the aforesaid writ petition praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the third respondent to award one mark to him for Question No.27 of Master Question paper for the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) examination held on 12.02.2023 and declare him as having passed in the TET 2023 and award pass certificate to him. 3.
According to the appellant, he is a holder of B.Sc. degree with B.Ed. In response to the notification issued by the respondents for conducting TET examination, he applied for the same in the year 2022 and participated in 2/17
the written examination conducted on 12.02.2023 - TET Paper-II, Tamil, Mathematics and Science. Subsequently, the third respondent published the results during March 2023, declaring that the appellant had secured 80 marks, as against the minimum required pass mark of 82. After publication of results, some of the candidates have approached the respondents for revision of the marks on the ground that certain questions and key answers set by them are incorrect. Accordingly, revised marks were awarded by the respondents, as per which the marks secured by the appellant were scaled up from 80 to 81. 4.
The appellant further stated that while publishing the revised marks, the respondents did not award one more mark to him for question No.27. According to the appellant, for Question No. 27, he had rightly marked the correct answer, however, the respondents, based on the expert opinion, have refused to award mark for him.
5.
The grievance of the appellant before the learned Judge was two-fold. Firstly, as per the approved text book, he had marked the correct answer and therefore, the third respondent has to award him one more mark so as to enable him to get a pass certificate of TET examination. Secondly, in spite of the fact that the appellant had established that the answer given by him 3/17
to the disputed question is correct, mark has not been awarded, with the result, he is unable to apply for the post of B.T. Assistant notified by the respondents. 6.
When the appeal filed by the appellant along with other similarly placed person viz., appellant in W.A. No. 3463 of 2023 was taken up for hearing, this Court passed an order dated 13.12.2023 permitting the appellants to submit their online applications along with the registration numbers as required by the Teachers Recruitment Board enabling them to apply for the post in question, however, such permission granted is subject to the result of the writ appeals. Based on the same, the appellant also submitted his application online for selection and appointment to the post of Graduate Teacher.
7. (i) The learned counsel for the appellant would vehemently contend that the appellant prepared for the examination by reading the text books recommended by the respondents. Therefore, the various questions set by the respondents have been answered by the appellant as provided in the text books approved by the Government of Tamil Nadu. Further, the learned counsel invited the attention of this Court to question No. 27 and submitted that both the answers viz., A1 and A2 are correct and it cannot be said that A1 alone is 4/17
the correct answer. Even though the appellant marked A2 as the correct answer, he was not awarded one mark. When A1 and A2 are correct answers to Question No. 27, as per the text book, the respondents are bound to award him one more mark. In this context, the learned counsel placed reliance on the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court in the case of Kanpur University, through vice Chancellor and others vs. Samir Gupta and others reported in AIR 1983 SC 1230 wherein it was held that for the mistake committed by the educational authorities, the student cannot be penalised. In Para Nos. 16 and 17, it was held as follows:- "16.
Shri. Kacker, who appears on behalf of the university, contended that no challenge should be allowed to be made to the correctness of a key answer unless, on the face of it, it is wrong. We agree that the key-answer should be assumed to be correct unless it is proved to be wrong and that it should not be held to be wrong by an inferential process of reasoning or by a process of rationalisation. It must be clearly demonstrated to be wrong, that is to say, it must be such as no reasonable body of men well-versed in the particular subject would regard as correct. The contention of the University is falsified in this case by a large number of acknowledged text books, which are commonly read by students in U.P. Those text-books leave no room for doubt that the answer given by the students is correct and the key answer is incorrect. 17.
Students who have passed their intermediate Board examination are eligible to appear for the entrance test for admission to the medical colleges in U.P. Certain books are prescribed for the Intermediate Board Examination and such knowledge of the subjects as the students have is derived from what is contained in those text-books. Those text-books support the case of the students fully. If this were a case of doubt, we would have unquestionably preferred the key answer. But if the matter is beyond the realm of doubt, it would be unfair to penalise the students, for not giving an answer which accords with the key answer, that is to say, with an answer which demonstrated to be wrong." 5/17
(ii) The learned counsel for the appellant also relied on the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court in the case of Ran Vijay Singh and others vs. State of U.P. and others reported in AIR 2018 SC 52. In that case, the High Court dismissed the writ petitions on the ground that there is no provision for re-evaluating the question papers. On appeal, the Honourable Supreme Court held that even in the absence of provision for re-evaluation, if it is established that the selection Board has failed to discharge their statutory obligation to hold the selection carefully and meticulously, then the Court can step in and permit re-evaluation. Thus, it was held that if a statute, Rule or regulation governing an examination does not permit re-evaluation or scrutiny of an answer sheet, then the Court may permit re-evaluation or scrutiny if it is demonstrated very clearly that a material error has been committed in conduct of the examination.
(iii) The learned counsel for the appellant also relied on the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court in the case of Rishal and others vs. Rajasthan Public Service Commission and others reported in Manu/SC/1642/2018. In that case the Honourable Supreme Court appointed an expert committee to re-evaluate the question papers. The report of the expert was served on the appellants. On scrutiny, the appellants submitted that 6/17
certain answers given by the Expert Committee are still not correct and they have also demonstrated it before the Honourable Supreme Court. After perusing the opinion of the expert body and the submissions made by the counsel for the appellants, the Honourable Supreme Court directed the Rajasthan Public Service Commission to revise the result of all the candidates, including the appellants and to award marks thereof. It was also held that even those who have not approached the Court are also entitled to the benefit of the said order.
(iv) Further reliance was placed by the learned counsel for the appellant on the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court in U.P.P.S.C. and others vs. Rahul Singh and others reported in AIR 2018 SC 2861 to contend that even the opinion given by the experts was on the basis of the reference made in the text books and therefore, reliance placed on the text book is justifiable. In Para No.14, it was held that the stand of the Commission is also supported by certain text books and therefore, it is reliable. (v) In effect, the learned counsel for the appellant submitted that even the experts failed to take note of the nature of question No. 27 and the optional answers given for the same. The learned counsel for the appellant therefore 7/17
submitted that the opinion of the expert is unjust and arbitrary and it need not be relied on and consequently, the respondents must be directed to award one more mark to the appellant for question No.27. 8.(i) The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the third respondent would vehemently oppose the writ appeal and contend that the experts in the field have arrived at an opinion and based on the same, revised mark list was published by the third respondent. As far as the appellant is concerned, the answer provided by him to Question No.27 is not correct as per the opinion of the expert. When experts in the field have examined the objections raised by the candidates including the appellant and submitted their report, it cannot be subjected to judicial scrutiny under Article 226 of The Constitution of India.
It is further submitted that after thorough scrutiny by the subject experts, the final key was arrived at on the basis of which the computer based examination for TET Paper II was evaluated. The revised and final key arrived at by the experts were published along with the results on 27.07.2023 in the official website of the third respondent/Board and it is final. The release of final key answers pertains to 84 objections made by the candidates including the appellant and they were thoroughly scrutinised by the expert committee and a decision has been arrived at.
re-verification was done for all sessions and all questions based on which 15 questions in 11 sessions were revised and the revised result was published on 27.07.2023. Thus, the question challenged by the appellant has already been scrutinised by the experts in the field.
(ii) The learned Additional Advocate General further submitted that the answer key challenged by the appellant has already been scrutinised by the Board and the revised mark list was published and it attains finality. Challenging the revised mark list, the writ petitions were filed and they were dismissed. While so, at this stage, the relief sought by the appellant in this appeal to award one mark to him, cannot be countenanced and it has to be rejected.
(iii) The learned Additional Advocate General placed reliance on the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court in the case of Mahesh Kumar vs. Staff Selection Commission and another passed in SLP (C) No. 1951 of 2022 wherein it was held as follows:- "The grievance voiced by the petitioner before the High Court was that certain marks which were deducted ought not to have been deducted. Basically, the issue before the High Court was evaluation of the answer scripts of the petitioner. The High Court has rightly refused to entertain the writ petition by observing that when the conscious decision has been taken by the experts and the Courts have no expertise in the academic matter, cannot interfere with the same. Hence, the Special Leave Petition stands dismissed."
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(iv) The learned Additional Advocate General also placed reliance on the judgment dated 08.09.2014 passed in the case of B. Florance Mary and another vs. The Chairman, TRB in W.A. Nos. 1097 and 1099 of 2014 wherein a Division Bench of this Court held thus:- "6.
Coming to the contention of the learned counsel for the appellant in W.A. No. 1099 of 2014 that one question has not been covered by the earlier orders passed by the learned single Judge, we are not inclined to accept the same for the reason that the expert body, on an analysis, found that the answer given by the appellant in W.A. No. 1099 of 2014 was not a correct one. It is settled law that while exercising the discretionary and extraordinary power under Article 226 of The Constitution of India, this Court cannot act like an expert body by replacing the assessment made by experts.
(v) The learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the third respondent also placed reliance on the orders of this Court viz., (1) Priya N vs. The Secretary to Government in WP (MD) No. 2527 of 2015 (2) Order dated 21.02.2022 passed in the case of Sumathi vs. The Chairman, TRB in WP No. 3063 of 2022 and (3) Order dated 25.10.2016 made in WP No. 4682 of 2015 in the case of S. Jayalakshmi vs. TRB to contend that when the final key answers have been examined and thoroughly scrutinised by an expert body constituted by the third respondent, the correctness of such opinion need not be subjected to judicial scrutiny. When the experts have zeroed in on a particular answer as the correct answer to isputed question No.27, interference of this Court is not 10/17
warranted in directing the respondents to award one more mark to the appellant. The learned Additional Advocate General also submitted that the Government of Tamil Nadu has issued G.O. (Ms) No.149, School Education (TRB) dated 20.07.2018 introducing a competitive examination for selection and appointment to the post of B.T. Assistants from among the TET passed candidates. Challenging the said Government Order, writ petitions have been filed and they were dismissed by this Court. Thus, when the appellant did not secure the pass mark in the TET examination, he is ineligible to participate in the competitive examination. In such view of the matter, if the appellant is awarded one more mark as prayed for in the writ petition, the respondents will have to act contrary to the notification issued for recruitment to the post and against the policy decision taken by the Government. (vi) The learned Additional Advocate General also placed reliance on the book titled - Psychology of Learning and Human Development wherein it was stated as follows:
"Slow learners - Slow learning children were formerly spoken of as educationally backward pupils. According to Cyril Burt, any pupil who shows an educational retardation of 2 years and more of his age can be classified as backward. The I.Q. of such backward children will be generally between 70 to 80. It is said that about 8 to 10% of school pupils may come under this category. Backwardness may be general affecting achievement in all school subjects or specific, relating to one or two aspects of school work only like reading, writing or arithmetic." 11/17
(vii) By referring to the above from the text book, the learned Additional Advocate General submitted that the conclusion reached by the experts that answer to question No.27 is A1 is based on the authorised text book and therefore, the answer given by the petitioner as A2 is not correct. Accordingly, the learned Additional Advocate General prayed for dismissing this appeal.
9.
We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and also perused the materials placed on record.
10.
The only grievance of the appellant in this appeal is that for the question No.27, he has marked A2 as the correct answer. According to him, the experts have opined that A1 is the correct based on a text book reference, however, given the nature of question, both A1 and A2 are correct and therefore, for having marked A2 as the correct answer, he must be awarded one more mark. Question No.27 and the answers set by the respondents are noted below:- "Question No.27 The range of intelligence quotient (IQ) were identified as slow learners is____ A1 70 to 80 A2 80 to 90 12/17
A3.
50 to 60 A4.
40 to 50 11.
In this context, it was demonstrated by the learned counsel for the appellant from the text book - Essentials of Educational Psychology authorised by S.K. Mangal enclosed in page Nos.142 and 143 of the typed set of papers that the answer A2 marked by the appellant is also correct. In the text book, it was stated as follows:- "However, as far as the classifications based on the intelligence test suitable to the Indian conditions is concerned, the following one presented by professor Uday Shankar may work well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IQ Level of Intelligence --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 140 and above Genius 125-140 Very Superior 110-125 Superior 90-110 Average 75-90 Border line and dull 50-75 Morons or Feeble minded 25-50 Imbeciles Below 25 Idiots --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12.
By referring to the above contents from the text book, the learned counsel for the appellant submitted that the IQ level of a slow learner viz., border line and dull can be classified as 75 to 90 and therefore, the answer marked by the appellant is also correct.
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13.
Therefore, it is evident and demonstrated by the learned counsel for the appellant that the conclusion reached by the experts is based on the text book. Similarly, the answer provided by the appellant is also based on the text book reference. As mentioned above, the IQ of a slow learner or a border line or dull student is categorised as 75 to 90 and it can also be taken into account by this Court to award one more mark to the appellant. 14.
It is true that the respondents have constituted an expert committee and the committee had concluded that 15 questions in 11 sessions asked in the competitive examination are not correct and recommended for change of the key answers. However, insofar as question No.27 is concerned, the experts have opined that answer No.A1 is correct. But, from the text book material furnished by the appellant, it is clear that A2 is also a correct answer and therefore, for having marked A2, the appellant deserves to be awarded one more mark.
15.
It is well settled that this Court has no expertise to examine the correctness or otherwise of the answer set by the respondents. For this 14/17
purpose, an expert was constituted. However, the appellant placed heavy reliance on the text book which was also enclosed in the typed set of papers along with the memorandum of grounds of writ appeal. Even otherwise, on going through the question No.27 and the answers made available from the text book material, we are of the opinion that the appellant has to be awarded one more mark for having marked A2 as the correct answer. Merely because the experts have opined the correct answer as A1, we need not blindly accept it knowing fully well that it is wrong and dismiss the appeal of the appellant. 16.
Time and again, it was reiterated by this Court as well as the Honourable Supreme Court that the Courts should be slow in interfering with expert opinion in academic matters. However, there is no embargo for the Courts to disregard the opinion of the experts, if it is demonstrated that the opinion so rendered may not be correct and unreliable. In this regard, in the decision of the Honourable Supreme Court reported in Kanpur University case mentioned supra, it was held that judicial review cannot be totally ousted in certain circumstances where it was established that the answer set by the respondents is palpably wrong. In this case, on perusal of the question No.27 and the materials placed before us, we are of the view that A2 is also the correct answer for question No.27. While so, we see no reason to reject the contentions urged on behalf of the appellant to award one more mark to him 15/17
for Question No.27. Accordingly, we hold that the appellant is entitled for one more mark for question No.27.
17.
In the result, the writ appeal is allowed by setting aside the order dated 29.11.2023 passed in WP No. 30121 of 2023. The respondents are directed to award one more mark to the appellant for question No.27 and consequently declare him as having passed the TET examination held on 12.02.2023. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
[R.M.D., A.C.J.] [M.S.Q., J] 04.06.2024 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No rsh To
1. The State of Tamil Nadu rep. by its Principal Secretary to Government School Education Department Fort St. George, Chennai - 600 009
2. The Director of School Education DPI Campus, College Road Chennai - 600 006
3. Teachers Recruitment Board 4th Floor, DPI Campus College Road, Chennai - 600 006 16/17
THE HON'BLE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and MOHAMMED SHAFFIQ, J rsh 04-06-2024 17/17