ANKIT SHARMA Vs. RAJASTHAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Being dissatisfied with the answer key published by the respondent-Rajasthan Public Service Commission (for short-"the RPSC')), this batch of writ petitions has been filed by the candidates who have failed to secure position in the list of candidates eligible to appear in the mains examination of RAS/RTS Combined Competitive Examination-2021.

(2.) Although, the matters came up on an application filed in S.B. Civil Writ Petition No.13968/2021, on the joint request of the learned counsels for the respective parties, the same were heard finally at this stage on their merit and are being decided vide this common order.

(3.) To appreciate the factual matrix, S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 14655/2021, Khinvraj Singh and Ors. vs. RPSC is taken as the lead case. The petitioners applied for appointment in pursuance of advertisement dtd. 20/7/2021 in the State Services as well as Subordinate Services. The scheme of examination provides for preliminary (screening) examination, mains examination and interview. The screening test consists of one paper of General Knowledge and General Science comprised of 150 multiple choice questions of total 200 marks with a provision for deduction of one third mark for each wrong answer. The preliminary examination was conducted on 27/10/2021 and the RPSC uploaded model answer key on 3/11/2021 inviting objections thereto. The petitioners filed objections to some of the answers whereafter, the respondent has issued final answer key on 22/11/2021 which is subject matter of challenge qua some of the answers. A prayer has been made to direct the respondent to revise the result and permit the petitioners to participate in the mains examination on the strength of their merit position.