‘Computers Failed, We Were Logged Out’: Bombay HC Clerk Aspirants Demand Re-Test

A recruitment examination for clerk posts under the Bombay High Court came under scrutiny on Sunday after candidates in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar alleged that technical problems disrupted their online typing test, prompting them to demand a fresh examination.

The protest was joined by CJP convenor Abhijeet Dipke, who visited an examination centre in the Surananagar area after learning about the complaints and met affected candidates.

Several aspirants alleged that computers malfunctioned during the test. Some said their keyboards and mice stopped working, while others reported problems with their screens. A few candidates claimed they were logged out within minutes of starting the examination, raising concerns that they could be declared unsuccessful despite being unable to complete the test.

The alleged disruption took place during the 10 am to 11:15 am session. Around 2,900 candidates from Marathwada and Vidarbha appeared at centres in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, while nearly 13,000 candidates across Maharashtra were eligible for the test.

The examination was conducted in three sessions for 1,300 clerk posts under the High Court's Nagpur and Aurangabad benches.

Candidates said they had travelled from places including Beed, Ambajogai, Amravati and Latur after preparing for the examination for six to seven months. They argued they should not be penalised for technical failures at the centres.

Dipke demanded a written notification for a re-examination, insisting that the fresh test should not be conducted on the same computers. He questioned why functioning systems, keyboards and servers had not been properly checked beforehand.

He also demanded that the district court judge, whom he said was present at the centre, meet the candidates and provide written assurance on a re-test.

Dipke said he would remain with the protesters until their demands were addressed.

No official reaction was immediately available from the authorities on the allegations or the demand for a fresh examination.