The absence of a discernible impact from brief power outages during an examination does not warrant re-examination, ensuring a level playing field for all candidates is upheld.

ORDER :

(C. KUMARAPPAN, J.)

In all the 5 writ petitions, the prayer sought for is to direct the 3^rd respondent to consider the representation of the petitioners and to conduct re- examination for the petitioners as well as to the similarly affected persons. The common grounds urged in all the above five writ petitions are that there was a power outage during NEET (UG) 2025 examination in the following centers viz., (i).PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya CRPF, Avadi, (ii).Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ponniamman Koil Street, Kundrathur, (iii).Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, K.K.Nagar and (iv). PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Minambakkam.

2. Heard Mr.T.Saikrishnan, Mr.V.Baskaran and Mr.V.Ramana Reddy, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.M.Sathyan, learned Central Government Standing Counsel for the first respondent, Ms.Subaranjani Ananth, Standing Counsel for NMC for the 2^nd respondent and Mr.AR.L.Sundaresan, learned Additional Solicitor General for Ms.Sunitha Kumari appearing for the 3^rd respondent.

3. According to the learned counsel for the petitioners, in PM.Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya CRPF, Avadi, there was a power outage between 3.00 PM to 4.15 PM. In Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan Senior Secondary School, K.K.Nagar, there was a power outage for about 20 minutes around 3.00 PM. In the Government Higher Secondary School, Ponniyamman Koil Street, Kundrathur, the power outage was between 3.40 PM to 4.10 PM. In PM.Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Minambakkam, there was a power outage between 3.00 PM to 3.45 PM. It is the specific submission of the petitioners that because of the same, the petitioners' ability was severely hampered. It is their further submission that inspite of the power outage, the examination Centers did not provide any compensatory time and have not arranged for any power backup. It is their further contention that in the absence of CCTV footage, the reply of the respondent is self serving. Hence, prayed to allow these batch of writ petitions.

4. Per contra, the learned Additional Solicitor General would contend that, though there was brief power outage, there was no impact upon the performance of the candidates, as the exam was conducted during day time and he would further submit that the situation was scientifically analysed and found that no re-examination is necessary. He also would further contend that more than two million candidates were participated in this exam across India, and if any re-examination is ordered, the same would seriously affect the level playing field. Hence, prayed to dismiss the writ petitions.

5. I have given my anxious consideration to either side submissions.

6. Before we delve into the merits of the matter, it is relevant to refer that, on 16.05.2025, the learned Additional Solicitor General represented before the Court that they would conduct a factual enquiry to find out whether there was any electricity outage as alleged, and it's possible impact upon the performance of the candidates.

7. In pursuance of the above undertaking, they have conducted a field verification with the Centre Superintendent, City Coordinator, NTA-appointed Observers and Invigilators on duty in the examination halls. According to their report, though there was brief power outage, the same has not affected the performance of candidates, as the examination halls were reported to be sufficiently illuminated with the natural daylight. The report further says that, the School Authorities have also arranged for power backup facility.

8. Reverting back t