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The General category is not for any particular caste, but is determined on the basis of merit. This court decision will have a significant impact on the General category as well as SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates.
SC clarifies rules on reservation in govt jobs
New Delhi: The Supreme Court delivered a major verdict on reservation yesterday, stating that selection in the General or Open category will be based on merit.
If a candidate from a reserved category scores higher than the General category cut-off, they can also be considered in the General category.
According to the Supreme Court, the General category is not for any particular caste, but is determined on the basis of merit. This court decision will have a significant impact on the General category as well as SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates.
Supreme Court's Verdict
The Supreme Court stated in its judgment that if the cut-off for the reserved category is higher than the General category and a reserved category candidate crosses the General cut-off, then they can be selected in the General quota.
All meritorious students should get a place in the General category, regardless of their caste, religion, tribe, class, or gender.
The court said that simply mentioning one's caste in the application form does not automatically grant the right to a reserved seat, but only indicates that the candidate may also be a contender in the reserved list.
According to the court
The only condition for being included in the Open category is merit. It will not be considered which category the candidate belongs to.
What will be the impact of the court's decision?
The Supreme Court had clarified in the Indira Sawhney case that meritorious candidates should be given an opportunity based on merit. The court's new order has reaffirmed this.
Reserved category candidates who score more than the General cut-off will also be included in the General category.
If a candidate has availed of reservation benefits at any stage of the examination, this rule will not apply to them, and they will not be considered in the General category.
If a reserved category candidate crosses the General cut-off without any concessions, they will be selected for a General seat.
According to the court, this decision has strengthened the principles of merit. It has not infringed upon the rights of any General category candidates.
What is the whole case?
In August 2022, the Rajasthan High Court announced recruitment for 2756 posts (Junior Judicial Assistant and Clerk Grade-II). In the written exam results, the cut-off marks for SC, OBC, MBC, and EWS categories were higher than that of the General category.
Some reserved category candidates cleared the General category cut-off, but were disqualified from the next round because they did not meet the cut-off for their respective categories.
The results were challenged in the Rajasthan High Court, which ruled that the General category list should be determined based on merit. The Supreme Court has now upheld this decision.
