Public appointments are void if they lack adherence to stipulated eligibility criteria as of the cut-off date, regardless of length of service or administrative inaction.

Judgment :

Ramesh Sinha , CJ.

1. Heard Mr.Shalvik Tiwari, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr.P.K.Bhaduri, learned Deputy Advocate General appearing for respondents No.1 to 3/State, Mr.Matin Siddiqui, learned counsel appearing for respondents No.4, 15, 22, 33, 41, 43, 44, 51, Mr.Manoj Paranjape, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Mr.Kabeer Kalwani, learned counsel appearing for respondents No.5, 28, 32, 40, 52, 57, 58, 62, 71, Mr.Ankur Agrawal, learned counsel appearing for respondents No.7, 8, 16, 31, 34, 39, 42, 46, 59, Mr.Rajeev Shrivastava, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Ms.Kajal Chandra, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.10, Mr.Moulik Shrivastava, learned counsel appearing for respondents 11, 12, 30, 50, 53, 54, 60, Mr.Vinod Kumar Sharma, learned counsel appearing for respondents No.13, 72, 73, Ms.Deblina Maity, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.20, Mr.Sudeep Johri, learned counsel appearing for respondents No.24, 26, 27, 56, 61, 63, 70, Mr.Kishore Bhaduri, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Mr.Pawan Kesharwani, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.55, Dr.K.S.Chauhan, learned Senior Advocate assisted by Mr.Ravi Prakash and Mr.Abhyuday Singh, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.64 and Mr.Tushar Dhar Diwan, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.67.

2. The appellant has filed this writ appeal against the order dated 11.07.2025 passed by learned Single Judge in WPC No. 3571 of 2025 by which learned Single Judge has dismissed the writ petition filed by the writ petitioner / appellant herein.

3. Brief facts of the case are that the recruitment in question pertains to the posts of Sub Engineer (Civil) under the Department of Panchayat and Rural Development, Government of Chhattisgarh. An advertisement for filling up 275 vacant posts was issued on 23.02.2011. The recruitment process was conducted by the Chhattisgarh Vyavsayik Pariksha Mandal (CG Vyapam), an autonomous body under the control of the State Government. The application process commenced on 28.02.2011 and the last date for submission of applications was 23.03.2011.

4. As per the terms of the advertisement and the applicable recruitment rules, candidates were required to possess the prescribed educational qualifications on or before the cut-off date. The eligibility criteria included 3-year diploma in Civil Engineering, or two-year Post Diploma in Rural Technology and Management, or an equivalent higher qualification.

5. After the written examination, 712 candidates were called for certificate verification. During verification, several candidates were found to be ineligible on various grounds, including non- possession of essential educational qualifications as on the cut-off date, invalid or absent caste certificates, over-age, and non- renewal of employment registration. A list dated 09.09.2011 was thereafter published categorising candidates as eligible, ineligible and doubtful. Despite the said classification, appointments were made in favour of several candidates who had been declared ineligible. Ultimately, 383 candidates came to be appointed, which exceeded the notified strength of 275 posts by 108 appointments, giving rise to serious allegations of irregularity in the selection process.

6. A specific issue was raised with respect to 89 candidates who had acquired the requisite educational qualifications only after the last date of application, i.e. 23.03.2011. In pursuance of administrative directions issued under NSP-13, three committees were constituted vide Office Order dated 28.11.2016