Re-evaluation of marks not an exercise in futility, says HC

The Delhi High Court Monday held that re-evaluation of marks is not an "exercise in futility" and has to have some "significance and import", while directing the Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) to admit a student denied entry due to a delay in the process.

Justice Manmohan, asking SRCC to grant admission to Sunny Goel in this academic year, also said that if the college hasn't been left with any seat, a supernumerary seat should be be created by the Delhi University.

In the judgment, the court said: "After all a student applies for re-evaluation not just for 'statistical reasons', but to take benefit of the increase in marks, if any."

Goel, who had sought admission in B.Com (Honours) in SRCC after his best-of-four percentage increased from 95.5 percent to 97.5 percent following revaluation of his papers by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), moved the high court, after the college denied him admission on the ground that the the process concluded July 7 and Goel had applied on July 10.

Goel said he had applied for admission in the college and had also applied for revaluation but there was a delay on the part of CBSE in revaluating his English paper. He had contended that students with percentages less than him have been admitted to the college.

Keeping in view the fact that the overwhelming majority of students admitted to DU belong to CBSE board, the court directed the CBSE chairman to have meet the DU vice chancellor to ensure that from next academic year, "students' re-evaluation marks are taken into account while granting admission to colleges of DU".

"For this purpose, either the re-evaluation process may be cut-short or cut-off date of colleges may be postponed by a reasonable time," said Justice Manmohan.

The court asked the CBSE to hold a meeting within the next two weeks and a decision be taken within eight weeks thereafter.