On August 24, 2026, the Delhi High Court delivered a decisive verdict, turning down a candidate’s challenge against the removal of Question No. 60 in the 2024 DHJS preliminary examination. The bench observed that even if the question were reinstated, the petitioner’s total would rise from 75.75 to merely 76.75, still below the 77‑mark threshold set for the mains.

Background

In February 2025, a notice deleted four questions deemed ambiguous, including Question 60, which dealt with the evidentiary value of a statement. The petitioner argued that the original answer key correctly marked option (2), but the notice classified the item as ambiguous and removed it. Out of thousands of examinees, only eight raised objections, none of which claimed the question was vague.

Judicial Reasoning

Justices V Kameswar Rao and Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora emphasized that the core issue was academic – the petitioner would not qualify for the written mains even with the extra mark. They also noted that no other candidate contested the deletion, underscoring the administrative discretion exercised by the exam committee.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such rulings spotlight the balance between exam board autonomy and candidate rights, potentially influencing future legal‑exam reforms and public confidence in merit‑based selections.

“Examination authorities must adopt clearer criteria for deeming questions ambiguous,” said a senior legal analyst.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can Question 60 be reinstated after the court’s decision?

A: The court explicitly ruled that reinstatement would not change the outcome, so it remains excluded.

Q2: Is there any other avenue for a one‑time age relaxation?

A: No legal basis was found; candidates must adhere to the standard age limits.