The examination authority is not liable for minor grievances raised by a negligible number of candidates, especially in force majeure situations, as these do not impact the overall integrity of a nationwide exam.

JUDGMENT :

SAMEER JAIN, J.

1. In the present batch of writ petitions, the scope of the controversy involved, albeit not limited to but is broadly and predominantly defined by the challenge raised regarding the NEET-UG Exam, 2025 conducted on all India basis by the respondent – National Testing Agency (NTA) on 04.05.2025 wherein, due to power failure/outrage, adverse weather conditions of storm and rain; jumbled and non-sequential question booklet; irregular/delayed time shown by the wall clock in the examination rooms and failure to ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunity during the said examination. Consequently, considering the fact that the writ petitions warrant adjudication on common questions of law and fact; with the consent of learned counsel appearing on behalf of all the parties, S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 8095/2025 titled as Roshan Yadav vs. Union of India and Ors. /b>. is being taken up as the lead case. It is cautiously clarified that any discrepancies in the present batch of writ petitions, pertain purely to the factual narratives contained therein and not vis-a-vis the questions of law to be determined by this Court; the instant judgment shall be applicable on all the petitions connected herein/henceforth on mutatis mutandis basis.

2. The lead petition is filed with the following prayers:

“a. By issuing a writ in the nature of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction, the Respondents be directed to consider the grievance of the Petitioner regarding the irregularities faced during the NEET (UG) examination and take appropriate remedial action including to conduct re-examination of NEET-2025 to the extent of Petitioner or grant bonus/compensatory marks; and/or, thereby if she is found successful then she may be allowed to participate in further process of counselling & admission in appropriate medical courses in any appropriate medical institution;

b. Any other writ, order or direction which this Hon’ble Court considers just, fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of this case, may kindly be passed in favour of the Petitioner;

c. By appropriate writ order or direction, the cost of litigation may also kingly be given to the petitioner .

d. By an appropriate writ order or direction any other appropriate relief to which the petitioner is found entitled to may also kindly be granter in her favour.”

FACTUAL BACKDROP :

3. On 04th May, 2025, the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) was conducted across 5,468 centres situated in 552 cities within India as well as in 14 international cities. In the present batch of writ petitions, the cause of action is stated to have arisen at Sikar, Rajasthan, wherein 98 centres were designated as examination venues. A total of 32,208 candidates were registered at these centres, out of which 31,787 candidates appeared for the examination. It was averred by the counsel representing the petitioners that approximately 15 centres were adversely impacted due to power failure, and other alleged deficiencies, affecting 5,390 candidates who had appeared therein. From amongst the candidates at the aforesaid centres, 31 candidates have approached this Court by way of the present petitions, seeking directions either for conducting a re- examination or, in the alternative, the grant of compensatory/bonus marks.

SUBMISSIONS BY THE COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE PETITIONERS:

4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners have unanimously submitted that, on account of the power failure and outage