Legal provisions involved: Reservation rules in public jobs and merit-based selection; precedent from Rajasthan High Court v. Rajat Yadav (2025).

Judgement by: Supreme Court of India

Judge/Bench: Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma

Facts

The Airports Authority of India conducted recruitment with reserved category seats. Some reserved category candidates scored higher than the general category cut-off but were not given unreserved posts. They were either placed in reserved posts or denied appointment. The Kerala High Court sided with the candidates.

Key legal provisions

Reservation rules in public jobs and merit-based selection; precedent from Rajasthan High Court vs. Rajat Yadav (2025).

Issues raised

Should reserved category candidates scoring above the general cut-off be treated as qualified for unreserved posts?

Arguments of the case

The Authority argued for reserved adjustments. Candidates said it was unfair to deny them unreserved posts despite higher marks.

Judgement

The Supreme Court ruled that reserved category candidates with marks above the general cut-off must be treated as qualified for unreserved vacancies. Penalizing them goes against merit principles. The appeal was allowed, and related appeals dismissed.

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