The court upheld the constitutional validity of category-wise horizontal reservation for ex-servicemen, affirming it does not violate merit principles or representation objectives.

ORDER :

1. Heard.

2. By this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, the petitioners, who are general category candidates, have challenged the constitutional validity of sub-rule (3) of Rule 2 of the Rajasthan Civil Services (Absorption of Ex-Servicemen) Rules, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as “Rules of 1988”) as amended vide impugned notification dated 07.12.2022.

3. The petitioners are ex-servicemen and aspire to participate in the direct recruitment process initiated vide advertisement dated 16.12.2022 on the post of Upper Primary School Teachers (Level-I and Level-II). Amongst other things, insofar as reservation for ex-servicemen is concerned, the advertisement provided for reservation in the following manner (in vernacular):

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