Topic
Merit-based selection in Indian law refers to the principle that appointments and admissions must prioritize candidates based on objective performance, even when reservation policies apply.
CAT Allahabad upholds Railway Recruitment Board's selection process, ruling that candidates who do not opt for higher-preference posts lose claim to appointment despite meeting merit criteria. The decision clarifies that post preferences under CEN No. 03/2015 prevail over raw scores, impacting thousands of government job aspirants.
Tripura High Court rules that reservation for Persons with Disabilities under the RPwD Act is horizontal and must be applied post merit-based selection, not by pre-allocating posts within SC/ST/UR quotas. The court mandates interlocking adjustment only after preparing selection lists on merit, ensuring fairness in public employment for PWDs.
An OBC candidate selected on merit in the unreserved category without a valid caste certificate must be treated as a general category candidate, with full salary arrears and seniority from the date of appointment. This ruling reinforces that merit overrides procedural caste classification when selection occurs in open competition, setting a precedent for equitable treatment in public employment.
Tripura High Court ruled that an OBC candidate who secures higher marks than general category candidates cannot be denied appointment to unreserved posts merely due to availing reservation benefits. The court emphasized that merit must prevail, and selection authorities must disclose cut-off marks to ensure transparency and equal protection under service law.
The High Court of Orissa holds that a reserved category candidate scoring higher than UR candidates may be appointed against an unreserved post, upholding merit-based selection under recruitment rules.
Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that preference for state MBBS graduates in PG admissions under NRI quota applies only in first round; merit must govern subsequent rounds.
Central Administrative Tribunal directs implementation of Government Order 10-DMRRR/2019 for de-reservation of unfilled posts under PM's package for Kashmiri migrants.
Chhattisgarh High Court holds that provisional admissions in PG medical courses do not create vested rights; amendments to align with Tanvi Behl are valid and constitutionally sound.