2023 Judicial Exam Marks: Delhi HC Seeks Registrar General’s Response To Alleged Tampering

 The Delhi High Court has issued notices to its Registrar General and the Registrar of Judicial Examinations following allegations of mark tampering in the 2023 Delhi Judicial Services (DJS) Mains Examination.

The court is responding to a plea filed by candidate Meenakshhi Meena, who claims that her marks were altered without proper authorization.

Case Background

A Division Bench comprising Justices C Hari Shankar and Ajay Digpaul directed the officials to explain why a rule nisi—a provisional order that becomes final unless contested—should not be issued. The court has granted four weeks for the respondents to file a counter-affidavit, with the petitioner allowed to submit a rejoinder within the subsequent four weeks. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 14.

In her petition, Meena alleges that she was initially awarded 5 marks for Question 8 in the Civil Law-I paper, but this was later reduced to 3 through overwriting, bringing her total score down from 70 to 68. She contends that this alteration lacked any endorsement, such as a signature or initials from the examiner or relevant authority, and seeks rectification of the error along with an invitation to the viva voce stage of the examination.

Advocates Nitesh Mehra, Hitaakshi Mehra, and Ananya Sikri represented the petitioner, while Advocate Kanika Agnihotri appeared on behalf of the High Court.

This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the evaluation processes of judicial examinations.