Candidate’s Own Lapse In Completing Online Application Cannot Be Ground To Claim Admit Card: Punjab and Haryana High Court
Case Name: Angrej Brar v. State of Haryana, Department of Personnel and Training through its Secretary and another
Date of Judgment: 02 July 2026
Citation: CWP-19660-2026
Bench: Hon’ble Ms. Justice Nidhi Gupta
Held: The Punjab and Haryana High Court held that a candidate who fails to comply with the mandatory requirements of an online recruitment application cannot seek a writ directing issuance of an admit card on the ground of a “technical mistake” or lack of computer knowledge. Recruitment instructions and timelines must be strictly followed, particularly where the candidate is aspiring to a public post.
Summary: The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to accept his application form for the post of Assistant District Attorney in the Prosecution Department, Haryana, pursuant to Advertisement No. 18/2025, and to issue an E-Admit Card for the examination scheduled on 05.07.2026.
The petitioner had submitted his online application within time. However, when he attempted to download the E-Admit Card, he discovered that his application had been marked “INCOMPLETE” because, after submitting the form, he had failed to take a printout, convert it into PDF format, and upload the same on the portal.
The petitioner argued that this was merely a technical lapse and should not block his career. The State opposed the plea, submitting that the E-Admit Card could not be issued due to the petitioner’s own mistake.
The Court rejected the petitioner’s contention, observing that the omission reflected rank carelessness. The advertisement was issued on 08.08.2025, the application deadline was 02.09.2025, and the admit card date was extended up to 27.06.2026, yet the petitioner made no effort during the long intervening period to verify whether his application was complete and in order.
The Court further held that lack of computer knowledge cannot be accepted as a ground in present times, as computers are omnipresent and basic compliance with online instructions is expected. The Court relied upon Mohit Kumar v. State of Uttar Pradesh, wherein the Supreme Court held that recruitment advertisement conditions must be scrupulously followed.
Decision: The writ petition was dismissed. The Court refused to direct the respondents to accept the incomplete application or issue an E-Admit Card to the petitioner for the Assistant District Attorney examination.