Tattoo Removal After Initial Medical Examination Not Permissible for CAPF Eligibility, Rules Court
In a recent judgment, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the plea of Jhantu Sarkar, a candidate for recruitment in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), who was disqualified due to a tattoo found on his right forearm during the detailed medical examination. The court, presided over by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, reinforced the principle that medical eligibility, including the presence of tattoos, must be determined based on the candidate's condition at the time of the initial examination.
Jhantu Sarkar participated in the selection process for the post of Constable (G.D.) in the CAPFs. During a medical examination on November 29, 2025, he was deemed unfit due to the presence of a tattoo. Despite undergoing therapy to remove the tattoo by December 1, 2025, and subsequently participating in a review medical examination on December 4, 2025, the medical experts found him unfit, citing a superficial burn mark on his forearm.
Sarkar filed a writ petition seeking a directive for his appointment, relying on precedents from the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court. However, the court found these precedents inapplicable due to the specific guidelines effective from May 2015 for CAPF recruitment, which were not considered in those cases. The court emphasized that the guidelines require assessment of health conditions, including physical appearance, as per the situation existing during the detailed medical examination.
The High Court referenced similar cases, including a recent ruling on January 2, 2026, in "Rahul Bari v. Union of India," where the petitioner faced a comparable disqualification scenario. The court reiterated that attempts to alter medical conditions post the initial examination, such as tattoo removal, do not influence the candidate's eligibility status.
The judgment concluded with the dismissal of the writ petition, affirming that candidates must adhere to the medical standards applicable at the time of the detailed examination. The decision underscores the importance of complying with established medical guidelines in recruitment processes for defense and police services.
Bottom Line:
Employment and medical guidelines - Candidate for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) disqualified due to tattoo found during the detailed medical examination - Subsequent removal of tattoo prior to review medical examination does not improve the situation to declare the candidate fit for appointment.
Statutory provision(s): Guidelines for Recruitment Medical Examination in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles (revised May 2015)
Jhantu Sarkar v. Union of India, (Calcutta) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2842087
