The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued an interim stay on a recruitment advertisement for the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch) following a petition by in-service candidates. The candidates challenged the fixation of November 1, 2025, as the cut-off date for determining eligibility, arguing that it was arbitrarily set to favour certain individuals. The advertisement was issued on June 5 this year, over seven months after the cut-off date.
Interim Order by Justice Harpreet Singh Brar
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar passed the interim order while issuing notice of motion on a petition filed by Sandeep Singh and other petitioners. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on August 24. The advertisement sought applications for five posts in the Punjab Civil Services (Executive Branch), to be filled through Register-C, which includes members of Group 'A' and Group 'B' services serving in connection with the affairs of the State of Punjab.
Petitioners' Arguments
The petitioners, who serve as Junior Engineers (Electrical) in the Punjab Water Resources Department, contended that they became eligible shortly after November 1, 2025, by acquiring the prescribed eight years of continuous government service. However, this was well before the advertisement was issued on June 5. They argued that fixing November 1, 2025, as the cut-off date arbitrarily excluded them from consideration, despite meeting the service qualification before the selection process began.
Advocate BS Mittal, representing the petitioners, argued that there was no logic or rationale in setting the cut-off date seven months prior to the advertisement. He claimed the date was tailor-made to favour certain candidates and exclude others, violating the principles of meritocracy and Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The petitioners also referred to Rule 6(4) of the Punjab Civil Services Rules (Executive Branch) (First Amendment) Rules, 2011, asserting that the cut-off date contradicted statutory rules.
Respondent's Defense
Senior Additional Advocate-General Anu Chatrath, along with AAG Vikas Sonak, defended the cut-off date, stating it was fixed under Rule 6(4)(b). This rule specifies that eligible candidates should be under 54 years of age on the first day of November immediately preceding the submission of names by the authorities concerned.
Rebuttal by Petitioners
In rebuttal, Mittal argued that Rule 6(4)(b) applies only to candidates who have attained the age of 54 on the relevant date and has no connection with Rule 6(4)(a), which requires eight years of continuous government service. He maintained that fixing November 1, 2025, as the cut-off date was arbitrary and not in accordance with statutory rules.
Court's Decision
After hearing both sides, Justice Brar ordered: “In the meantime, operation of the impugned advertisement shall remain stayed.” The stay will remain in effect until the next hearing, providing relief to the petitioners and other similarly situated candidates.
