The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to provide interim relief to candidates embroiled in an age limit controversy concerning the Rajasthan Sub-Inspector (SI) Recruitment process for 2021. The apex court has directed the Rajasthan High Court's division bench to arrive at a final decision in the matter before the end of March this year.
Court Directs Expedited Hearing on Age Relaxation
A bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma issued this order on Friday while considering a special leave petition filed by a candidate named Surajmal Meena. The court emphasized that two related special appeals pending before the Rajasthan High Court should be heard one after the other and resolved quickly. The preferred deadline for this decision is March 31, 2026.
Harendra Neel, the legal counsel representing the petitioner, confirmed the court's directive. This judicial intervention brings a new timeline to a complex dispute that has left many aspirants in a state of uncertainty regarding their eligibility.
Root of the Controversy: 2021 Recruitment and 2025 Exam
The conflict originated when candidates who had participated in the initial SI recruitment drive of 2021 sought age relaxation to be able to appear for a subsequent recruitment examination announced in 2025. The core of their plea was that the prolonged process and delays should not disqualify them on age grounds.
In a significant development on October 30, 2025, a single-judge bench of the Rajasthan High Court granted these candidates conditional and temporary permission. This order allowed for a three-year age relaxation, providing a window of hope for the aspirants.
State's Challenge and the Supreme Court's Clarification
However, the state government contested this order, leading to a division bench of the High Court putting a stay on the single bench's decision on November 13, 2025. This stay created further ambiguity, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has now provided crucial clarity on the conditions of relief. The bench explicitly stated that if the 2021 recruitment process is ultimately cancelled, candidates will not have an automatic right to age relaxation. Conversely, if the 2021 recruitment is upheld, the question of age relaxation and eligibility under the 2025 notification will be decided on its own merits by the High Court.
This ruling sets a clear path forward, ensuring that the matter receives a conclusive judicial review without undue delay, offering a measure of relief to candidates awaiting a final resolution.
