Punjab and Haryana High Court Dismisses Petition Seeking Change in Category During Recruitment Process
Date: May 4, 2023
In a recent judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed a petition filed by Usha Rani, seeking a change in category during the recruitment process. The petitioner had approached the court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Haryana Staff Selection Commission to consider her DESM (Dependent of Ex-Servicemen) Certificate and declare her successful in the ESM/DESM category.
The petitioner had participated in the Common Eligibility Test (CET) for Group-C posts but failed to qualify. She claimed that she possessed an Eligibility Certificate as a DESM candidate but could not upload it due to network issues during the opportunity provided for modifying the uploaded particulars. Despite submitting representations to the respondent-Commission, her requests remained unanswered.
However, Justice Suvir Sehgal, presiding over the case, noted that the petitioner had applied and appeared as a General category candidate in the CET. The court emphasized that once a candidate applies under a specific category, they cannot be permitted to change their category during the selection or recruitment process. Citing previous judgments and an advertisement condition, the court held that the petitioner’s request for a change in category could not be entertained.
Additionally, the court highlighted the petitioner’s failure to upload the required DESM Eligibility Certificate and her inability to take advantage of multiple opportunities provided by the respondent-Commission to address grievances or correct uploaded data. The court concluded that the petitioner was responsible for the delay in seeking a change in category and that it was too late for her to request such a change.
As a result, the court found no merit in the petitioner’s claims and dismissed the writ petition. This decision reaffirms the principle that candidates must adhere to the category they choose during the recruitment process and highlights the importance of timely compliance with application requirements.
Decided on: 04.05.2023
Usha Rani vs Haryana Staff Selection Commission and another
