The Orissa High Court has instructed the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) to establish a panel of experts to reassess the correctness of the answers for four questions in the revised answer key related to the written exam for recruiting 116 Group B Ayurvedic Medical Officers.
This directive came in response to a petition from a candidate, Itishree Sahoo, who challenged using a second answer key that included certain incorrect answers marked as correct in the selection process. In her petition, Sahoo argued against four specific questions, claiming that the second answer key issued by the OPSC contained errors. To support her argument, she referenced authoritative texts and expert opinions.
Justice SK Panigrahi said, “Based on a preliminary review of the facts and submissions, this court is of the view that the petitioner has presented a prima facie case warranting judicial intervention, as the answer key appears demonstrably erroneous when the relevant authoritative texts and expert opinions are considered.”
He further said, “While this court is not positioned to assess the veracity of the answers directly, it deems it necessary to direct the OPSC to re-evaluate the answers to the contested questions. This re-evaluation should be conducted by a panel of qualified subject matter experts, who can offer an objective and specialized review of the disputed questions.”
“The findings of the expert panel shall be carefully considered. Based on the panel’s conclusions, the petitioner’s case shall be reconsidered, and her position in the merit list be adjusted if the expert panel finds the petitioner’s arguments and supporting materials to be valid,” Justice Panigrahi also specified as he set a three-week deadline for the completion of the entire exercise.
