Allahabad High Court Directs UPPSC to Revise Preliminary Exam Merit List for Inclusive Recruitment
High Court mandates inclusion of meritorious reserved category candidates in the unreserved list, reinforcing equality in the recruitment process.
In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to revise the merit list of the preliminary examination conducted for various posts, including Assistant Engineer and District Horticulture Officer, among others. The Court's directive aims to ensure that meritorious reserved category candidates who scored equal to or above the cutoff marks of unreserved category candidates are included in the unreserved category list at the preliminary examination stage.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Ajit Kumar, addresses the grievances raised by Rajat Maurya and 41 other petitioners regarding the preparation of the preliminary examination results. The petitioners argued that the existing method violated the principles of meritocracy and equality, as it excluded reserved category candidates from the unreserved list despite their qualifying marks.
Justice Ajit Kumar emphasized that the open category is not a "quota" but is available to all candidates, irrespective of their category. The Court held that the recruitment process must adhere to the principles of equality and meritocracy. The judgment highlights that reserved category candidates should be given the opportunity to compete in the open category if their performance matches or exceeds that of unreserved category candidates.
The Court also clarified that concessions such as age relaxation and fee remission do not disqualify reserved category candidates from being included in the unreserved list, as these are statutory provisions aimed at providing equal opportunity. The decision mandates the UPPSC to re-draw the merit list for the preliminary examination, ensuring that all candidates are assessed based on merit, thereby preventing discrimination.
This ruling comes as a relief to the petitioners who had contested the exclusionary practices in the recruitment process. It reinforces the constitutional principles of Articles 14 and 16, which advocate for equal opportunity and non-discrimination in public employment.
The UPPSC is now required to revise the merit list and conduct the main examination based on the updated list, ensuring a fair and inclusive recruitment process. The judgment sets a precedent for similar cases, promoting a more equitable approach to public service recruitment.
Bottom Line:
Recruitment Process - Preparation of unreserved category list in the preliminary examination must include meritorious reserved category candidates who score at par with or above the unreserved category candidates to ensure equality and prevent discrimination.
Statutory provision(s): Constitution of India Articles 14, 16, Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission Preliminary Examination Rules, 1986, The Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes) Act, 1994
Rajat Maurya v. State of U.P., (Allahabad) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2784337
