Age Relaxation for Sub-Inspector Posts Denied; Tribunal Emphasizes Policy Adherence and Uniform Application
In a significant ruling, the Central Administrative Tribunal's Jammu Bench has upheld the upper age limit for the recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in the Jammu & Kashmir Police, rejecting multiple applications seeking relaxation. The decision, delivered on May 28, 2026, was in response to several connected original applications challenging the age criteria set by Advertisement Notification No. 02 of 2024.
The Tribunal, comprising Mr. Rajinder Singh Dogra and Mr. Ram Mohan Johri, emphasized that the fixation of eligibility criteria, including age limits, is a policy decision within the domain of the rule-making authority. The applicants, who were domiciles of Jammu & Kashmir, argued that the delayed recruitment process rendered them overage and sought relaxation similar to the one granted during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. However, the Tribunal maintained that the earlier relaxation was a one-time measure due to extraordinary circumstances and does not set a precedent for future recruitments.
The applicants contended that the delay in recruitment deprived them of the opportunity to apply as they crossed the upper age limit of 28 years. They also pointed to the acute unemployment in the region and the government’s past practice of granting age relaxation in similar scenarios. Despite these arguments, the Tribunal ruled that such relaxations cannot be granted unless a statutory violation is demonstrated.
The Tribunal cited the Supreme Court's stance that eligibility conditions are primarily within the competent authority's domain and courts should not interfere unless clear arbitrariness or constitutional infirmity is shown. It also referred to the Jammu & Kashmir High Court's previous judgment in a related matter, which dismissed similar pleas for age relaxation.
While rejecting the applications, the Tribunal did allow the applicants to submit fresh representations to the competent authority for consideration. However, it clarified that the mere submission of representations would not guarantee a change in the eligibility criteria or age relaxation.
This decision reinforces the principle that recruitment processes must adhere strictly to the notified eligibility criteria, and judicial bodies cannot alter these norms unless statutory violations are evident. The Tribunal's ruling is expected to set a precedent for future cases involving recruitment policies and age criteria.
Bottom line:-
Recruitment process for public posts must adhere strictly to notified eligibility criteria; delay in recruitment or submission of representations does not confer a vested right for relaxation in age limit.
Statutory provision(s):
Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 Section 19, Article 14 of the Constitution, Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution
