Petitioners challenging rejection of candidature for lack of required OBC certificates upheld, confirming compliance with recruitment norms and dismissing claims of illegality.

JUDGMENT :

DEVASHIS BARUAH, J.

Heard Mr. R. Borah, the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners and Mr. S. S. Roy, the learned CGC who appears on behalf of the respondent Nos.1 to 7 and Mr. T. C. Chutia, the learned Additional Senior Government Advocate who appears on behalf of the respondent No.8.

2. The present writ petition has been filed seeking a writ in the nature of certiorari challenging the impugned rejection slips dated 29.11.2025 issued by the respondent No.7 and further seeking a direction upon the Respondent Authorities to consider the candidature of the petitioners under the OBC (Non Creamy Layer) category after making necessary verification with the District Commissioner, West Karbi Anglong, if required, and further direct the respondents to do the needful to appoint the petitioners if found fit in medical examination and otherwise meritorious.

3. The facts of the instant case which arises are that on 05.09.2024, an advertisement was issued for recruitment to the post of Constable GD in the Central Armed/Police Forces (CAPFs) and SSF, Rifleman (GD) in the Assam Rifles and Sepoy in Narcotics Control Bureau Examination-2025. In the said advertisement, various dates have been mentioned. For the purpose of submission of the online application form, the window was from 05.09.2024 to 14.10.2024. It is also categorically mentioned that the last date and time for receipt of online application form is on 14.10.2024 on or before 11:00 PM.

4. The petitioners herein who admittedly belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category applied in pursuance to the said advertisement for the posts of Constable GD. Clause 5 of the advertisement stipulated the age limit. The age of the candidates must be 18 to 23 years as of 01.01.2025, i.e. candidates born not before 02.01.2002 and not later than 01.01.2007. However, in respect to certain categories of candidates, the advertisement further prescribed age relaxation. In the case of SC or ST category, the age relaxation is five years and OBC is three years. Clause 6 of the advertisement stipulated the process of certification and the format of certificates. In terms with Clause 6.1, the candidates who wish to be considered against reserved vacancies or seek age relaxations are required to submit the requisite certificate from the Competent Authority in the prescribed format when such certificates are sought by the CAPFs concerned for document verification at the time of DME. It is further mentioned in the said Clause itself that if such requisite certificates are not produced, the claim of the candidates for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/ESM category would not be entertained and their candidature/application would be considered under the Unreserved Category. Further to that, the said Clause also mandated that if the candidate has sought any other age relaxation or claimed ESM status and is not able to produce the relevant certificate, he would be considered in his respective category, i.e. SC/ST/OBC/EWS/UR. The formats of the certificates have also been provided in the Notice dated 05.09.2024. The certificate for Other Backward Classes is at Annexure-VII to the Notice of Examination. The contents of the said certificate being relevant are reproduced hereunder:

“Annexure-VII FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE PRODUCED BY OTHER BACKWARD CLASSES APPLYING FOR APPOINTMENT TO POSTS UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

This is to certify that Shri/ Smt./ Kumari _________________ son/ daughter of ________ of village/town __________________________________________ in District/Division___________________________ in the State/Union Territory _________ belongs to th