Reevaluate marks for disputed questions, revise selection list, HC tells Tamil Nadu uniform services board

Chennai: Madras high court directed Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board (TNUSRB) to award marks for three disputed questions to candidates who appeared for the recruitment exam held on Nov 9, 2025, for the posts of Grade II police constable, jail warder, and fireman. Justice M Dhandapani directed TNUSRB to publish a fresh selection list and proceed with the process of appointment. The court passed the orders on a plea moved by Tamilarasan and Sathish, challenging the answer key published for the exam dated Dec 26, 2025. They alleged that five questions (numbers 6, 7, 13, 31, and 52) contained incorrect answers, ambiguity, spelling errors, or were outside the syllabus. They said objections were not properly considered before issuing the final answer key. Opposing the plea, TNUSRB submitted that the recruitment process was fair and transparent. Objections were invited after publication of the preliminary answer key. Expert opinion was obtained regarding the disputed questions, it said. The court examined whether interference with the final answer key was warranted and reviewed expert opinions regarding the disputed questions, and directed TNUSRB to award marks to candidates for questions 6, 13, and 31. For question 7, the court directed the board to award marks to the two petitioners in the absence of authoritative material on which the opinion for the answer was based. For question 52, the court told the board to award marks to candidates who marked the answer opined by experts.