Parthesh Sharma permitted to sit in the main examination under Sports Category amidst confusion over certificate submission requirements.
In a significant judgment delivered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Namit Kumar ruled in favor of Parthesh Sharma, a candidate seeking consideration under the Sports Category for the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) examinations. The petitioner was previously caught in a dilemma due to unclear communication regarding the submission of a mandatory Sports Gradation Certificate.
The case, titled "Parthesh Sharma v. Punjab Public Service Commission," revolves around the advertisement issued on January 2, 2025, which outlined the submission of necessary certificates after the main examination. However, public notices issued later contradicted this clause, mandating the submission before specified deadlines in October and November 2025. Parthesh Sharma did not comply with these notices, believing he was adhering to the original advertisement's stipulations.
Advocates Mr. Eklavya Gupta and Mr. Parminder Singh, representing the petitioner, argued that the omission was due to the lack of a provision for certificate submission on the PPSC portal, as well as the Commission's failure to notify Sharma individually. The petitioner’s admit card still reflected the Sports Category code, which led to a legitimate expectation of compliance with the initial advertisement.
Justice Namit Kumar, acknowledging the complexities and the legitimate expectation created by the admit card, provisionally allowed Sharma to appear in the main examination. However, the court ordered that the results should not be disclosed without its permission and should be kept sealed until the petition's resolution.
The case has been adjourned until May 16, 2026, providing temporary relief to Sharma while the court deliberates on the final outcome.
Bottom Line:
Public Service Commission - Sports Gradation Certificate requirement - Candidate allowed to appear in the main examination provisionally under Sports Category due to legitimate expectation arising from admit card and lack of clear communication from the Commission.
Statutory provision(s): Public Service Commission regulations, Advertisement clause 5.2, Legitimate expectation doctrine.
