Mumbai: Aspirants of the Common Entrance Test (CET), Maharashtra have been advised to mark their answer sheets by darkening the circles properly.

The Bombay High Court said that students are given marks even if they have ticked the correct circle and not darkened the circle.

The High Court has, therefore, strictly directed the State Government to evaluate answer sheets according to the instructions listed in the CET brochure.

"A student taking the CET Examination puts in a lot of hard work with an aim to secure a seat in a reputed institution. No laxity can, therefore, be permitted in the matter of assessment of answer sheets as it may affect the future of students", said a division bench comprising Justice P.B. Majumdar and Amjad Sayed.

"No student should be kept in dark. All actions of the state should be transparent. A bright student may loose his chance of getting admission in a medical course if the state adopts procedures contrary to the ones prescribed", the judges added.

The decision has come in after a petition was filed by a Pune resident -Manjeri Patil, who missed out on a seat in a medical college by a few marks only.

During revaluation, Manjeri realized that marks had been awarded to her for answers where she had put a tick mark.

However, according to the information brochure, scratching, overwriting, tick mark and multiple answers are considered as a wrong answer and no marks are awarded for such questions.

Assistant Government Pleader MD Naik told the HC that the rule had not been followed strictly and the State had taken the opinion of 'some experts' regarding this issue as there were several cases of students putting a tick mark instead of blackening the circles in a hurry.

"Ultimately, on the basis of the opinion received, a decision was taken that tick marks would be taken into account so that a student, who has answered a question correctly does not suffer", said Naik

The High Court, however, said that the State Government's decision is "highly unjustified".

"In a society governed by the rule of law, a citizen is expected to know as to what is the correct procedure and principle by which he is likely to be guided", said the court.

The State Government has given an undertaking to the HC stating it would strictly adhere to the norms and in the event of any change, would inform students about the changes in advance.