Case Note & Summary
The dispute arose from the cancellation of a recruitment examination conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission for the post of Upper Zila Basic Shiksha Adhikari (Women). The examination consisted of a written test followed by an interview. After the written examination, it was discovered that due to improper data entry into the computer, candidates who performed poorly were selected for interviews while those who performed better were excluded. The High Court dismissed writ petitions challenging the Commission's decision to cancel the examination and re-hold it. The Supreme Court, upon hearing the appeals, found that there was no justification for cancelling the written examination since no defects were identified in it. The court reasoned that the issue could have been resolved by allowing all eligible candidates to be interviewed based on their written examination results. Consequently, the Supreme Court allowed the appeals, set aside the High Court's judgment, and directed that the results of the written examination be upheld, forming the basis for a new interview process. The court emphasized the need for timely resolution to avoid wasting public resources and litigation. The court also clarified that the selection of two Scheduled Caste candidates and five Backward Class candidates would remain unaffected. The court ordered that the recruitment process be finalized within four months, with no costs awarded.
Headnote
A) Administrative Law - Recruitment Examination - Cancellation of Examination - Uttar Pradesh Educational Service-Junior Scale (Women’s Branch) - The cancellation of the recruitment examination was unjustified as no defect was found in the written examination; the court directed that the results of the written examination should be sustained and form the basis for a fresh interview process. Held that the situation could have been resolved by conducting interviews for all eligible candidates based on the written examination results (Paras 125G-126A).
Issue of Consideration
Whether the High Court was right in upholding the decision of the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission to re-hold the recruitment examination.
Final Decision
The Supreme Court allowed the appeals, set aside the High Court's judgment, and directed that the results of the written examination be sustained, with fresh interviews to be conducted based on these results. The court ordered that the recruitment process be finalized within four months.
Law Points
- Recruitment examination
- cancellation of examination
- eligibility for selection
- interview process
- improper feeding of computer data
