IMPORTANT POINT
The relaxation provisions in recruitment processes should be applied uniformly to candidates from specific regions, irrespective of their reserved or un-reserved category, to avoid discrimination and uphold constitutional rights.

JUDGMENT

1. Heard Mr. Ng. Jotindra Luwang, learned Advocate appearing for the petitioners, Mr. Boboy Potsangbam, learned CGSC appearing for the respondent No. 1 and Mr. S. Samarjeet, learned senior panel counsel appearing for the respondent Nos. 2 to 6.

2. The present writ petition had been filed questioning the legality and sustainability of the non-selection of the petitioners, who belongs to reserved category (ST/SC/OBC) and who have not availed any relaxation in the recruitment process for their appointments as Constable/ Rifleman, even though they got more marks than many of the selected candidates against the un-reserved posts.

3. The fact of the present case, in a nutshell, is that the Staff Selection Commission issued a notice dated 21-07-2018 for conducting an open examination for recruitment to the post of Constable (General Duty) in Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Secretariat Security Force (SSF) and Rifleman (General Duty) in Assam Rifles. Altogether 54953 vacancies (47307 Male/7646 Female), including 490 vacancies for male candidates earmarked for the Manipur State were also notified in the said notice.

4. The recruitment process consists of Computer Based Examination (CBE), Physical Efficiency Test (PET), Physical Standard Test (PST) and Medical Examination. In Para 11 (ix) of the said notice, it is provided that on the basis of the aggregate marks scored by the candidates in Computer Based Examination, the final selection of candidates, along with force allocation, in each category namely, Un-Reserved, SC, ST, OBC and Ex-Servicemen will be made separately for male and female candidates in respect of each State/ UT and further earmarked category of border guarding and militancy/ naxals affected Districts wherever applicable and that selection of candidates for NIA and SSF will be made on all India basis.

5. In para 9-III of the aforesaid notice and under the heading 'Scheme of Examination', the Physical Standard Test (PST) is provided as under:-

'9. Scheme of Examination:

III. Physical Standard Test (PST):

Physical standards laid down for the post of Constable/ Rifleman are -