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OA No.1167/2019

Item No.21/C-4

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL

PRINCIPAL BENCH, NEW DELHI

O.A. No. 1167/2019

Reserved on : 21.01.2026

Pronounced on : 05.02.2026

Hon’ble Mr. Manish Garg, Member (J)

Hon’ble Dr. Anand S. Khati, Member (A)

Preet Singh, Age 30 years

Son of Mandeep Singh

Resident of House No.82, Hargobind Avenue

Plaha Sahib Road, Ajnala Road

Amritsar, District Amritsar

Punjab

For Assistant post, Water Sports Discipline.

... Applicant

(By Advocate: Mr. K.L. Manhas)

Versus

1. Union of India

Through Secretary to Govt. of India

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports

Room No.3, C Wing

Shastri Wing, New Delhi.

2. Director General of Sports Authority of India

Jawahar Lal Nehru Statdium Complex (East Gate)

Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

3. Secretary, Sports Authority of India

Jawahar Lal Nehru Statdium Complex (East Gate)

Lodhi Road, New Delhi.

...Respondents

(By Advocate: Mr. Shantanu Singh with Mr. Rishay Raj)

Digitally signed by JYOTI JAIN

Date: 2026.02.06 16:44:59+05'30'

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OA No.1167/2019

Item No.21/C-4

ORDER

Hon’ble Dr. Anand S. Khati, Member (A)

In the present Original Application (O.A.) filed under Section

19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985, the applicant has

sought for the following reliefs:-

“i) The relevant record may kindly be summoned.

ii) To issue an appropriate writ, order or direction to the

respondents to consider the applicant for appointment for

the post of Assistant Coach in Water Sports Discipline as 12

vacancies for the said post were advertised by the

respondent No.3 and only 9 candidates have been

appointed as Assistant Coach in Water Sports Discipline

inspite of the 12 vacancies by using pick & choose policy in a

totally illegal & arbitrary manner, as the applicant is at

Serial No.1 in the waiting list issued by the respondent No.3.

iii) It is further prayed that respondents may be restrained to

continue the process of appointment fixed for 06.11.2017

during the pendency of the present application.

iv) It is further prayed that respondents be also directed to

disclose the marks which were obtained by the selected

candidates in the tests conducted by respondents and the

candidates who have been kept in the waiting list and

further prayed that instruction 8 (t) of advertisement may

also be quashed.

v) Any other relief to which this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem

fit in the facts & circumstances of the case may also kindly

be granted.

vi) Costs of the application may also be awarded in the favour

of the applicant.”

2. Learned counsel for the applicant summarized the facts of the

case as under:

2.1 The respondent No.3 issued Advertisement No.02/2016

inviting applications for appointment of Assistant Coaches,

including 12 posts of Water Sports discipline. The applicant applied

Digitally signed by JYOTI JAIN

Date: 2026.02.06 16:44:59+05'30'

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OA No.1167/2019

Item No.21/C-4

for the said post, appeared in the written examination and was

declared successful. Thereafter, after getting successful in the

Skill/Physical test, he was called for interview on 15.09.2017 vide

letter dated 26.07.2017.

2.2 However, the respondents issued appointment letters to 9

candidates in that discipline and the applicant has been placed at

Serial No. 1 of the waiting list.

2.3 The contention of the learned counsel for applicant is that

since respondents had notified 12 posts, they ought to have offered

appointment to 12 successful candidates including the applicant, but

only 9 candidates have been recruited without assigning any reason,

and therefore, the action of the respondents is illegal and arbitrary.

2.4 He also referred to Annexure R-1 of the counter affidavit,

wherein the applicant was shortlisted and was shown at Serial No. 7

in the Combined Merit List for Provisionally Shortlisted Candidates

called for Skill Test and/or Interview - marks with qualifications’

weightage, skill test & interview - Assistant Coaches (Water Sports).

The bone of contention of the arguments put forth by the learned

counsel for the applicant is that once the applicant’s name appeared

at Serial No. 7 in the list of