Supreme Court Upholds High Court Decision on Eligibility Criteria for Village Development Officers Recruitment In UP

In a recent verdict, the Supreme Court of India has upheld the decision of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad regarding the eligibility criteria for the recruitment of Village Development Officers. The case revolved around the claims of appellants who were seeking recruitment in this role but faced rejection due to questions regarding their Ex-Servicemen status and possession of a C.C.C. Certificate.

The Supreme Court's judgment, delivered by Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, emphasized the importance of adhering to eligibility criteria as per the terms of the recruitment advertisement. The Court stated, “The basic question on eligibility has to be determined on the basis of the cut-off date/point of time which stands crystalized by the date of the advertisement itself, being the last date of submission of application forms unless extended by the authority concerned.”

The dispute centered around whether the appellants qualified as Ex-Servicemen at the time of the advertisement. The State argued that they were ineligible due to their continued employment in the Armed Forces. Additionally, the appellants were criticized for not possessing the essential qualification of a C.C.C. Certificate on the date of the advertisement.

Justice Amanullah reiterated the established legal principle that eligibility should be assessed as of the last date of application submission, unless extended by the recruiting authority. The Court pointed out, “Granting any benefit to the appellant would be violative of the doctrine of equality, a backbone of the fundamental rights under our Constitution.”

The Supreme Court's decision, while dismissing the appeal for lack of merit, also clarified that any payments made to the appellants for the period they worked as Village Development Officers would not be recovered.

This verdict serves as a reminder of the significance of following recruitment advertisement criteria and cut-off dates, ensuring fairness and equality in the selection process.

Date of Decision: October 30, 2023

SUDHIR SINGH AND OTHERS VS STATE OF U.P. AND OTHERS