Delhi High Court Rejects DHJS Answer-Key Challenge, Emphasises Obvious-Error Standard

The Delhi High Court dismissed a candidate's challenge to two questions in the Delhi Higher Judicial Service Preliminary Examination 2026.

Background and legal issue

The candidate disputed questions about testamentary capacity during intoxication and contract formation, seeking deletion and recalculation of marks. He had not objected within the examination authority's designated window, although an expert committee reviewed other candidates' objections.

Court's reasoning and legal position

Justices Avneesh Jhingan and Arun Bhardwaj reiterated that courts should intervene in answer keys only for obvious errors not requiring interpretive reasoning. They declined to replace the expert committee's view with their own assessment of competing legal interpretations.

Operative effect and next step

The petition was dismissed, leaving the examination result undisturbed. The decision illustrates the narrow standard of judicial review of expert examination decisions.