The court ruled that a candidate cannot be allowed to complete an application post-deadline, as it undermines the integrity of the application process.

ORAL JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE ANU SIVARAMAN)

This writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:

"(a) A writ of mandamus, directing the 2^nd Respondent to permit the Petitioner to upload the additional details in the Application of his daughter Aarchini Dinesh Nadurmath, having NEET-UG-2025 Register No.250410383744 in order to complete the said Application to enable her to appear for the NEET-UG-2025, (pursuant to Ann-B) in the interest of justice.

(b) Such other writs or orders as this Hon'ble Court deems fit in the circumstances of the case."

2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned DSGI appearing for the respondents.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's daughter is an aspirant for the NEET (UG) 2025 and she is undergoing her studies in Deeksha CFL PU College. It is submitted that pursuant to Annexure-A Notification issued with regard to the NEET examination, the petitioner had created an account and registered the name of his daughter with the respondent No.2-portal on 14.02.2025. The registration process had been undertaken almost completely. However, it is submitted that inspite of repeated attempts, the signature could not be uploaded and the registration portal shown that the petitioner's daughter application was incomplete. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that only aspect which is lacking in the application form was the signature of the petitioner's daughter and that the application form was complete in all other aspects. It is submitted that there were technical issues and the petitioner was unable to upload the signature of his daughter on the online portal though multiple attempts had been made. It is submitted that thereafter, the petitioner came to know that notice had been given on 06.03.2025 to persons who had uploaded their online applications to correct errors in the said applications between 9^th and 11^th of March, 2025. It is submitted that since the petitioner's daughter application form was complete in all other aspects, the petitioner seeks an opportunity to upload the signature in the portal so that the petitioner's daughter application would also be complete. It is contended that since permission is being granted to the persons who have uploaded their applications incorrectly to correct their applications, the petitioner's daughter, whose application was complete in all other aspects, is also liable to be permitted to upload the signature so that her application will be liable to be considered. It is contended that it is only because of technical problems that the petitioner's daughter's application form could not be uploaded completely.

4. Learned DSGI appearing for the respondents submits that written instructions have been made available by respondent No.2 with regard to the matter and has placed a memo on record with the details of such instructions and the supporting documents. It is stated that the public notice dated 07.02.2025 clearly provides that the registration window would be open from 07.02.2025 to 07.03.2025 upto 11.50 p.m. and that the detailed instructions with regard to filling up of the applications had been provided in the information bulletin published in respect of the NEET (UG) 2025. It is submitted that the petitioner admittedly had not uploaded the completed application form as on 07.03.2025. It is submitted that the audit log of candidates login history was retrieved and it is stated that the registration form of the petitioner's daughter was filled up and the personal details and documents were uploaded on 14.02.2025 between 20.24 to 20.45 p.m. Thereafter, the candidate logged in on the web portal on 24.02.2025 and successfully uploaded documents i.e., passport size photograph, left and right hands fingers and thumb impressions and postcard size photo between 22.40 p.m. and 22.42 p.m. on 24.02.2025. It is submitted that after 24.02.2025, the candidates/petitioner has logged in on the web portal onl