SC/ST/OBC/EWS Candidates Eligible for General Seats on Merit: Supreme Court Ruling
In a landmark judgment that will transform government job recruitment, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that meritorious candidates from reserved categories (SC, ST, OBC, and EWS) cannot be barred from “General Category” seats if their scores exceed the open merit cut-off.
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Key Highlights of the Supreme Court Verdict
The ruling came during a case involving recruitment by the Rajasthan High Court. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine G. Masih, dismissed the notion that selecting a reserved category candidate for a General seat constitutes a “double benefit.”
1. “Open Category” Means Open for All
The Court reaffirmed the principles laid down in the historic Indra Sawhney (1992) judgment. The bench noted that:
- The “General Category” is actually an “Open Category.”
- These seats are not reserved for any specific group or caste.
- Merit must be the primary criteria for open-category selection.
“The word ‘open’ simply means open. Seats under the open category are for everyone,” observed Justice Datta.
2. No “Double Benefit” Conflict
The Rajasthan High Court had previously argued that allowing reserved candidates to occupy General seats was unfair. The Supreme Court rejected this, stating that merit must be given due weight. A candidate’s eligibility for a reserved seat does not disqualify them from competing for a seat available to the general public if they have the required marks.
How This Affects Recruitment Processes (New Guidelines)
The Supreme Court has established clear procedural guidelines for how recruitment agencies (like UPSC, SSC, and State PSCs) must handle these cases:
| Stage of Recruitment | Ruling/Guideline |
| Written Examination | If a reserved category candidate scores above the General cut-off, they must be treated as a General candidate for the next stage (Interview). |
| Final Merit List | If their final score remains above the General cut-off, they take an Open seat. |
| Safety Net | If their final score falls below the General cut-off but remains above their category’s cut-off, they retain their right to a reserved seat. |
Impact on Aspirants
This is a significant victory for meritorious students. It ensures that:
- Reserved category seats remain available for those who need the quota support.
- High-scoring candidates from SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories do not “waste” a reserved seat if they are qualified enough to secure an open seat on their own merit.
Conclusion
This ruling brings much-needed clarity to recruitment rules across India. It ensures that the “General Category” remains a true merit-based pool rather than a de facto reservation for non-category candidates.
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