LISA GILL, J.

Prayer in this Writ Appeal is for setting aside judgment and order dated 30.01.2026 passed by learned Single Judge, whereby Writ Petition filed by present appellant was dismissed.

2. Appellant/writ petitioner, filed Writ Petition No.27119 of 2025 seeking a declaration that action of respondents in rejecting her sports Certificate of Participation obtained in XXIV Andhra Pradesh State Shooting Championship Competitions, 2024 and Certificate of Merit (Silver Medal) obtained in Inter-District Shooting Competition, is illegal, arbitrary, unjust, and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.

3. Petitioner submitted her application for appointment to the post of Law Assistant, which is a Group II post, pursuant to issuance of notification dated 07.12.2023 by Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission. Petitioner claimed benefit of reservation under sports quota on the basis of certificates in question. Her claim was rejected on the ground that said certificates had been issued subsequent to the date of notification inviting applications for aforesaid post. Learned Single Judge on considering facts and circumstances, found no ground to interfere, thus dismissed the writ petition filed by appellant vide impugned order dated 30.01.2026. Aggrieved therefrom, present appeal has been filed.

4. Learned counsel for appellant vehemently argues that there is no requirement in notification dated 07.12.2023, that sports certificates should have been obtained prior to issuance of the same. Furthermore there is no allegation that the said documents are not genuine, therefore, benefit of the sports quota should be afforded. It is thus prayed that this Writ Petition be allowed as prayed for.

5. Learned counsel for respondents has opposed the appeal while supporting impugned judgment and order dated 30.01.2026. Dismissal of this appeal is sought.

6. We have heard learned counsel for parties and have perused the file with their assistance.

7. It is a matter of record that petitioner applied for the post in question pursuant to issuance of notification dated 07.12.2023. In the application submitted by her, she has mentioned that she claims appointment under the sports quota, though it is a matter of fact that sports certificates are dated 22.07.2024 and 12/13.08.2024.

8. 370 candidates including petitioner claimed sports reservation and secured minimum qualifying marks, i.e., 40% and were short listed for verification of original certificates. Certificates provided by petitioner were forwarded on 01.05.2025 and 16.05.2025 to Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh/present respondent No.3. Petitioner’s name was correctly not included as no benefit could be given to her on the basis of subsequent participation in sports event(s) and award of medal therein. At this stage it is useful to refer to Rule 12(3)(a) of Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules, 1996, which clearly stipulates as under:

“12. QualificationsforDirect Recruitment:

(3) (a) A candidate should possess the academic qualifications and experience including practical experience prescribed, if any, for the post on the date of the notification for direct recruitment issuedbytheconcernedrecruitingagency…”

9. In the given factual matrix, learned counsel for appellant is unable to point out any illegality, infirmity or irregularity in the impugned decision dated 30.01.2026, which calls for interference by this Court in exercise of appellate jurisdiction. No other argument is addressed.

10. Writ Appeal is accordingly dismissed being devoid of any merit. No costs. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, in this case, shall stand closed.