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Kerala High Court Verdict: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday delivered a significant verdict, annulling the results of the KEAM 2025 entrance examination. The court ruled that a last-minute amendment to the prospectus, which altered the method of calculating ranks, was both unlawful and discriminatory. Justice D.K. Singh, in delivering the judgment, specifically highlighted that the revised ranking methodology adversely impacted students who had completed their schooling under the CBSE and ICSE boards.

This pivotal court order came in response to a petition filed by Hana Fatima Ahnus, a KEAM 2025 candidate. Ahnus challenged the amendment, contending that it was introduced after the official exam prospectus had already been issued. Critically, the amendment was implemented on the very same day the final rank list was published, a move that the High Court unequivocally described as "an illegal move," raising serious questions about procedural fairness.

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Hana Fatima Ahnus further argued that due to this sudden and unannounced change, her rank plummeted to 4,209. She pointed out that in the previous year, a student with comparable marks had secured a significantly higher rank of 1,907. She vehemently termed the amendment "arbitrary, illegal and mala fide," alleging that its specific intent was to eliminate the academic weightage previously granted to students from CBSE and ICSE backgrounds, thereby disadvantaging them.

Taking serious cognizance of these grave allegations and the clear procedural irregularities, the High Court decisively set aside the amended prospectus. The court has now directed the state authorities to release a fresh and revised rank list. This new list must be prepared strictly based on the original criteria outlined in the prospectus, ensuring that the integrity and fairness of the admission process are restored for all aspiring candidates.

The KEAM 2025 examinations were conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations between April 23 and 29, 2025. The initial results of these examinations were declared on May 14, 2025. However, the controversy arose when the final rank list was published on July 1, 2025—coincidentally, the exact same day the new and disputed ranking method was officially introduced, leading to immediate legal challenges from affected students.

Impact on Student Aspirations:

The High Court's decision brings a mix of relief and renewed uncertainty for thousands of students. While it rectifies an unfair change, it also means a delay in the admission process for professional courses. Students who saw their ranks drop due to the amendment now have hope, but the overall timeline for admissions will be affected, requiring patience and vigilance from all applicants.

Upholding Judicial Scrutiny:

This verdict by the Kerala High Court underscores the judiciary's vital role in safeguarding fairness and transparency in public examination and admission processes. By annulling the results based on an arbitrary last-minute rule change, the court has sent a strong message against procedural irregularities and ensured that the rights of students are protected against discriminatory practices.

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