Supreme Court Restricts Interim Relief in Rajasthan SI Recruitment Exam 2025
The Supreme Court of India on Friday issued a modified order concerning the Rajasthan Sub-Inspector/Platoon Commander Recruitment Examination 2025, significantly narrowing the scope of interim relief granted to overage candidates. A special vacation bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma clarified that only the petitioner, Suraj Mal Meena, and approximately 713 other overage candidates who had already been issued admit cards would be permitted to appear in the examination scheduled for April 5 and 6.
Court Rejects Broader Eligibility Amid Logistical Concerns
The bench explicitly stated that no other similarly placed overage candidates would be allowed to participate in the recruitment test. This decision came after the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) raised urgent logistical and security concerns. Representing the RPSC, counsel Yuvraj Samant informed the court that around 7.7 lakh candidates were already set to appear across 41 cities and 1,173 examination centers. He argued that expanding eligibility at the last moment would severely disrupt the entire examination process and compromise its integrity.
Modification of Previous Order
The Supreme Court's ruling modifies its order from April 2, which had initially allowed candidates from the 2021 SI recruitment process seeking age relaxation to provisionally appear in the 2025 examination, pending a decision by the Rajasthan High Court. The court has now held that the benefit of appearing in the examination would not extend to all overage candidates. It specifically permitted Suraj Mal Meena and the 713 candidates who had already approached the high court and received admit cards to proceed.
Examination Schedule to Proceed Unchanged
The bench ordered that the examination schedule must remain strictly unchanged, and authorities are mandated to conduct the test as originally notified. The court made it clear that candidates who had not approached any judicial forum would not receive any benefit from this order. Appearing for the Rajasthan government, Additional Advocate General Shiv Mangal Sharma supported the RPSC's stance, noting that more than 2.21 lakh candidates from the 2021 recruitment cycle had not applied for the current examination. He emphasized that allowing them to participate now would create administrative chaos and potentially affect the fairness of the process.
Impact on Pending High Court Proceedings
The Supreme Court clarified that its order would not prejudice the rights and arguments of the parties involved in the ongoing appeals before the Rajasthan High Court. It added that if the high court later orders a fresh examination, affected parties would be free to seek appropriate legal remedies in accordance with the law.
RPSC Assures Preparedness and Transparency
Following the Supreme Court's modified order, RPSC Secretary Ramniwas Mehta confirmed that over 7.7 lakh candidates have been issued admit cards and all preparations for the examination are complete. He stated that comprehensive measures are in place to ensure transparency and confidentiality throughout the examination process. Mehta highlighted specific initiatives, including a reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to the detection of any malpractice, underscoring the commission's commitment to maintaining the integrity of the recruitment test.
"Approximately 7.7 lakh candidates are appearing in this examination, and we have made thorough preparations to uphold confidentiality and transparency," Mehta added, reinforcing the RPSC's readiness to conduct the examination smoothly despite the legal complexities.
