Imagine dedicating years of your life preparing for a dream job, only to have the entire process thrown into chaos due to administrative blunders. This is the harsh reality for countless candidates who applied for the 2021 Sub-Inspector recruitment in Rajasthan. The Rajasthan High Court has stepped in, urging the state government to reconsider its stance on age relaxation for these candidates, who now find themselves in a state of limbo. But here's where it gets controversial: should these aspirants be penalized for delays and irregularities that were entirely beyond their control? The court thinks not.
In a significant ruling, the bench led by Justice Ashok Kumar Jain emphasized that the candidates’ legitimate expectations should not be dashed simply because they exceeded the age limit due to administrative failures. The judge pointed out that the 2021 recruitment process remains unresolved, leaving both selected candidates and exam-takers in a state of uncertainty. And this is the part most people miss: the court highlighted that these candidates have a constitutional right to a fair chance and fair competition under Articles 14, 16, and 21.
The case stems from a series of petitions filed by candidates who had appeared in the 2021 SI Exam and re-applied under the 2025 notification, seeking a 4-year age relaxation instead of the advertised 3 years. The court’s intervention comes after the 2021 selections were canceled due to alleged irregularities, with the challenge against this decision still pending. The gap of 4 years between the 2021 and 2025 recruitment processes further complicates matters, raising questions about fairness and accountability.
Interestingly, the court drew attention to Rule 46 of the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989, which empowers the state’s administrative department to grant additional age relaxation based on candidates’ circumstances. The court argued that this situation warrants such consideration, especially given the hardship faced by the candidates. Additionally, the court referenced a state government sub-committee’s recommendation from October 1, 2024, which suggested age relaxation in future exams—a point that adds another layer of intrigue to the debate.
The court’s directive is clear: the state must consider a 4-year age relaxation for candidates who appeared in the 2021 process and re-applied in 2025, ensuring they are not disqualified based on age. This decision must be made within 8 weeks. But here’s the thought-provoking question: Is this enough to rectify the injustice faced by these candidates, or does the system need deeper reforms to prevent such situations in the future? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Title: Suraj Mal Meena & Ors. v the State of Rajasthan & Ors., and other connected petitions
Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Raj) 376
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