If they pass the cut-off, SC/ST/OBC candidates are eligible for “general” positions in government jobs, according to court. The Supreme Court made it clear that a worthy candidate may be chosen for an unreserved seat based only on merit, regardless of the reservation’s availability.
The Supreme Court has decided that candidates from the Schedule Castes , Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) who score higher than the General category cut-off are qualified for General category seats in government positions.
This ruling has far-reaching implications; it redefines the meaning of General category seats and represents a significant victory for deserving candidates from reserved categories.
The ruling was rendered by the Supreme Court in a case involving a recruitment procedure carried out by the Rajasthan High Court, which had established a regulation stipulating that candidates from the reserved category would not be appointed to General category seats, even if their scores exceeded the General cut-off.
Merit has to be given its due importance SC
Allowing SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates to hold General seats, according to the High Court, would be equivalent to granting them “double benefit”—one through reservation and another through selection in the General category.
The Rajasthan High Court’s case was dismissed by a bench made up of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine G. Masih after the Supreme Court rejected this reasoning, emphasizing that merit must be given sufficient weight.
The famous Indra Sawhney ruling from 1992 was also cited by the Supreme Court. We think the word “open” just means “open.” No specific caste or group is given preference for seats in the open category. Everyone can use them,” noted Justice Datta.
The court made it clear that a worthy candidate from the different categories may be chosen for an unreserved seat based only on merit, regardless of the reservation’s availability.
Additionally, the Supreme Court established precise criteria for the application of this regulation in the hiring process.
A candidate from the reserved category will be considered for an interview if their written exam score is higher than the cut-off for the general category.
Candidates will be counted under their initial reserved category on the final merit list and will continue to be eligible for reservation benefits if their total score is lower than the General category cut-off.
The Supreme Court has given the candidates in the reserved category a substantial present while rendering a significant decision regarding the government job reservation system. Candidates in this group will be regarded as general if they surpass the general category cutoff.
Regarding the reservation system in government employment, the Supreme Court rendered a significant decision. According to the Supreme Court, candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) will also be eligible for government jobs on the general category seats if their scores exceed the cut-off.
Government employment and enrollment in government schools in India will be significantly impacted by this decision. The Supreme Court’s ruling is regarded as a significant win for deserving candidates who fall under the reservation category. The definition of general category seats in government positions has also changed as a result of this ruling. I
n a case pertaining to the recruitment process, the Supreme Court ruled that candidates from the reserved category would not be appointed to general category seats, even if their scores exceeded the general cut-off. The case was filed by the Rajasthan High Court.
The Rajasthan High Court contended that allowing candidates from economically disadvantaged groups to run for general seats would provide them with a “double benefit”—one through reservation and the other through the general category. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed these claims.
The petition submitted by the Rajasthan High Court administration and its registrar was denied by a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and A G Masih, who stated that merit must be given fair weight.