The Delhi High Court dismissed an appeal filed by two students against the National Testing Agency regarding alleged tampering with JEE Main 2025 answer sheets. The court upheld the findings of NTA and confirmed that no legal flaw existed in the earlier judgment. The matter was decided after detailed examination of forensic evidence.
The appeal challenged a single judge order dated 22 September 2025, which had rejected the students’ allegations of irregularities in the conduct of JEE Main 2025.
Delhi High Court Observations on JEE Main 2025 Allegations
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, noted that the students failed to establish their claims. The bench agreed with the single judge’s conclusion that the allegations were unsupported by credible evidence.
The court observed that the earlier decision was based on a detailed forensic analysis conducted by the National Cyber Forensic Laboratory. The findings of the forensic report were accepted as reliable, and the court ruled that the students’ claims were not sufficient to challenge those conclusions.
Community Service Ordered Instead of Monetary Fine
While dismissing the appeal, the Delhi High Court modified the penalty imposed earlier. The single judge bench had ordered a fine of INR 30,000 on each student. However, the division bench chose not to uphold the monetary penalty.
Instead, the court directed both students to undertake community service for one month. As per the order, one student was directed to serve at an old age home, while the other was asked to work at a child care centre for the same duration.
No Bar on Appearing in Other Examinations: NTA
During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the students informed the court that the candidates had voluntarily agreed not to appear in JEE examinations for the 2025 and 2026 intakes. Responding to this submission, NTA clarified its position before the court.
NTA stated that although the students had been debarred from appearing in JEE Main for 2025 and 2026, there was no restriction on them appearing in any other examinations. This clarification was taken on record by the court.
Debarment Not to Affect Future Academic Prospects
While upholding the previous judgment in its entirety, the Delhi High Court made an important clarification regarding the students’ future. The bench stated that the debarment from JEE should not be treated as a stigma for their academic career.
The court noted that the appellants were young students who had recently completed their Class 12 board examinations. Keeping their future in mind, the court clarified that the debarment would not adversely impact their future academic pursuits.
The ruling brings closure to the legal challenge related to alleged irregularities in JEE Main 2025 and reinforces the validity of the forensic process followed by the National Testing Agency.
