ORDER :

1. The instant Special Appeal Writ has been preferred claiming the following reliefs:-

“It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that this appeal may kindly be allowed by quashing the judgment dated 17.04.2025 by allowing the writ petition along with the prayer made therein by holding the appellant eligible and entitle for the post of Pharmacist.

Any other order deemed just and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case may also kindly be passed in favour of the petitioner/appellant.”

2. The respondents have invited applications for the post of Pharmacist vide Advertisement/Notification dated 05.05.2023. The appellant applied pursuant thereto and succeeded on merits; however, the appellant’s name did not appear in the selected list solely on the ground that registration with the Pharmacy Council was not available at the time of document verification.

3. Learned counsel for the appellant makes a limited submission that after acquiring the requisite qualification of Pharmacist, the appellant applied for registration with the Pharmacy Council on 22.02.2023. He draws the attention of this Court towards the State Circular dated 31.10.2022, particularly paragraph No.4 thereof, which reads as under:-

4. Learned counsel for the appellant further submits that it was the obligation of respondent No.3 – Pharmacy Council to issue the registration certificate within the stipulated period of 15 days/01 month, as prescribed under the Circular dated 31.10.2022. It is submitted that the registration certificate was not issued within the prescribed time, and as a consequence thereof, the appellant was disqualified from the selection process, as the registration certificate was ultimately issued on 12.07.2023, whereas the last date for submission of documents was 11.06.2023, as per the advertisement.

5. Learned counsel for the respondents does not dispute the factual matrix of the case but submits that as per the advertisement dated 05.05.2023, the appellant was required to submit the registration certificate issued by the Pharmacy Council on or before 11.06.2023, whereas the same was obtained belatedly on 12.07.2023. It is further submitted that although the portal was reopened for correction on 12.09.2023 and the registration number was uploaded thereafter, strict adherence to the cut-off date is mandatory in public recruitment. Learned counsel submits that any deviation would open a Pandora’s box and render the recruitment process susceptible to uncertainty and irregularities. Reliance has been placed upon the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court in Sakshi Arha v. Rajasthan High Court & Ors., (2025 SCC OnLine SC 757, decided on 08.04.2025), particularly paragraph No.38, which reads as under:-

“38. Significant reliance is placed by the Appellants on the 2-Judge bench decision of this Court in Ram Kumar Gijroya (supra). A perusal of the decision rendered by the High Court of Delhi on the factual matrix therein is evidently distinct. The same, thus, cannot come to the rescue of the Appellants. In the instant case, it is not a contention of the Appellants that they are missing a valid proof of attainment of their particular qualification or right. No candidate before us has a claim that they, to begin with, already availed and established their eligibility, or had applied for a NCL category certificate and issuance of the same is delayed at the behest of the competent authority. The ratio, therefore, in the relied judgment would not apply.”

6. This Court has taken note of the fact that the appellant is a duly qualified Pharmacist, who applied for registration with the Pharmacy Council on 22.02.2023. This Court also notes that pursuant to the advertisement dated 05.05.2023, the appellant participated in the selection process and succeeded on merits, but could not furnish the registration certificate, as the same was not issued till the cut-off date i.e. 11.06.2023. However, this Court has further taken note of the State Circular dated 31.10.