Patna High Court
Malti KumariversusThe State of Bihar
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The Court held that the Board must consider the petitioner's representation and, if any correction is required, effect it within four weeks and inform the petitioner.
Summary
Petitioner Malti Kumari appeared for the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test‑2025 and scored 59.7359 marks, falling short of the 60‑mark cutoff by 0.25 marks, leading to her being declared unqualified. She submitted representations to the Bihar School Examination Board on 5 February 2026 and 24 February 2026 requesting verification and correction of the marginal discrepancy, but the Board had not acted on them. The petitioner filed a writ petition seeking a court order directing the Board to consider her representation, verify the marks, and correct any error within a stipulated time. The Court examined the submissions and directed the Board to examine the representation and, if any correction is warranted, to implement it within four weeks and communicate the decision to the petitioner. Accordingly, the writ application was disposed of with the reliefs granted.
Issues considered
- Whether the Bihar School Examination Board is obligated to consider the petitioner's representation and verify the marks within a reasonable time.
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to a judicial direction for time‑bound consideration and correction of a marginal scoring discrepancy in the STET‑2025.
Subjects
- Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test
- Bihar School Examination Board
- writ petition
- marks correction
- educational assessment
- administrative delay
- right to fair evaluation
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5481 of 2026
======================================================
Malti Kumari W/O Dinesh Kumar, R/O Ward No.-2. Birauli Khurd, Birouli
Rural Institute, P.S. Pusa, P.O.-Birauli Khurd, District- Samastipur, Bihar-
848113.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar through Additional Chief Secretary, Education
Department, Government of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Director, Secondary Education, Government of Bihar, Patna.
3. The Chairman, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna, Bihar.
4. The Secretary, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna, Bihar.
5. The Examination Controller, Bihar School Examination Board, Patna, Bihar.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Abhishek Mani
For the Respondent/s : Government Pleader (24)
Mr. P.K. Shahi
Mr. Vipin Kumar
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 18-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and
learned counsel for the respondents.
2. The instant writ application has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
(i) For directing the respondents particularly the
Controller of Examination, Bihar School
Examination Board, Patna to consider and dispose
of the petitioner’s representation relating to
Secondary Teachers Eligibility Test-2025 within a
time bound period.
(ii) For directing the respondents to verify the
marks and take appropriate decision regarding
correction of any discrepancy in accordance with
law.
Patna High Court CWJC No.5481 of 2026(2) dt.18-04-2026
2/3
(iii) For any other relief(s) for which the petitioner
is found entitled in the facts and circumstances of
the case.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the
petitioner appeared in the Secondary Teacher Eligibility Test,
2025 (STET-2025), conducted by the respondent Board in the
Hindi subject. Her result was declared, showing that she secured
59.7359 marks out of 150 as against the cut-off of 60 marks, and
she was accordingly declared not qualified. It is the petitioner’s
case that she has been declared unsuccessful by a very marginal
difference of about 0.25 marks. It is further submitted that, upon
noticing the same, the petitioner immediately approached the
respondent authorities and submitted representations dated
05.02.2026 and 24.02.2026 before the Board; however, the same
have not been considered till date.
4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the Board
submits that appropriate directions may be issued to the
authorities of the Bihar School Examination Board, and the
petitioner’s grievance shall be considered within the time so
allowed by this Court.
5. Considering the submissions of the parties, the
representation appended with the writ application as Annexure-
P/4 is directed to be considered by the appropriate authorities of
Patna High Court CWJC No.5481 of 2026(2) dt.18-04-2026
3/3
the Bihar School Examination Board. If, upon such
consideration, it is found that any correction is required to be
made, the same shall be carried out within a period of four
weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this
order. The decision so taken shall be duly communicated to the
petitioner.
6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, this
writ application stands disposed of.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
shikha/-
U
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