JUDGMENT :

UDAY UMESH LALIT, J.

1. These appeals arise out of the final judgment and order dated 22.11.2016 passed by the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi in LPA No. 989/2013. The appeal preferred by University of Delhi (“the University” for short) i.e. Civil Appeal No. 1007 of 2021 arising out of SLP (C) No. 17486 of 2017 is taken as the lead matter.

2. While allowing the Letters Patent Appeal preferred by the Delhi University Contract Employees’ Union (“the Union” for short) and Others, following conclusions were arrived at and directions were issued by the Division Bench of the High Court:-

“Conclusion:

(I) The decision of the University of Delhi to grant one time age exemption to all contract labour who may have served for over a year on such basis for participating in the selection in effect is in the nature of the Scheme postulated by the Supreme Court in Para 53 of Umadevi. It cannot be denied that such opportunity to participate in the selection process has to be meaningful.

(II) In view of the age relaxation given by the University of Delhi, an opportunity to undergo the selection process was made available to all contract employees who had worked for one year or more on contrac