Ayurvedic Medical Officers exam: Orissa HC directs OPSC to check accuracy of revised answer key

The Orissa High Court (HC) has directed the Odisha Public Service Commission (OPSC) for the formation of a panel of experts to re-evaluate the accuracy of answers to four questions in the revised answer key for the written examination to recruit 116 Group B Ayurvedic Medical Officers.

The top court has issued the direction on a petition filed by a candidate Itishree Sahoo, challenging the adoption of a second answer key containing certain incorrect answers marked as correct for the selection process.

As per the petition, Itishree Sahoo has contested four questions, asserting that incorrect answers were stated as correct in the second answer key issued by the OPSC. For this purpose, the petition relied on authoritative texts and expert opinions to substantiate her claim.

“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,” Justice SK Panigrahi stated.

He further said, “While this court is not positioned to directly assess the veracity of the answers, 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.