V. Ramasubramanian, J. - (1.)THE petitioner, who completed the M.B.B.S. Degree Course way back in the year 2011 from PSG Medical College, Coimbatore, applied to JIPMER for admission to the Post Graduate Medical Course for the academic year 2014 -15. Since admission to Post Grade Medical Courses in JIPMER is made based upon the entrance examination conducted online, the petitioner appeared for an entrance examination on 23.02.2014. But, unfortunately, the petitioner was awarded only 404 marks out of 1000. Claiming that he should have got at least 634 marks, which could have ensured a seat for him in M.S. or M.D. Course, the petitioner applied for a copy of the answer sheet and the key answer. Since it was not given, the petitioner has come up with the above writ petition seeking the issue of a writ of Mandamus to direct the respondents to produce the copy of his answer sheet bearing roll No. 1401741, along with answer key.
(2.)HEARD Dr.A.Aiamperumal, petitioner appearing as party in person, Mr.G.Rajagopalan, learned Additional Solicitor General, assisted by Mr.M.T.Arunan, learned counsel for the respondents 1 and 2 and Mr.V.P.Raman, learned counsel for the third respondent.
All that the petitioner wants is only a copy of his own answer sheet and the key answer. But, the respondents resisted the prayer, primarily on the ground that in a specialised examination, such as the entrance examination for Post Graduate Medical Courses, it is not good for the institution to furnish key answers and the answer sheets. It is the contention of the respondents that in courses relating to super specialties, the candidates understanding pattern of examination and cracking the examination mode is very high, if several persons take question papers, key answers and copies of answer sheets. In other words, the respondents contend that larger public interest demands that the copies sought by the petitioner cannot be given.

(3.)IT appears that when the petitioner made an application originally on 26.3.2014 under the Right to Information Act, for the copies of his answer sheet and the answer key, he was informed that he could inspect the same during working hours on any working day in the academic centre. The petitioner also went to the office on 26.5.2014, but he declined to peruse his answer paper and the key answers through the online download. In other words, he wanted hard copies of the answer sheets and answer key, but did not merely want to look at the screen.