(A) Apprentices Act, 1961 - Section 22(1) - Railway Recruitment Notification CEN 01/2019 - Para 12.2 - Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAAs) - Eligibility criteria - Cut-off date for online applications fixed as 12.04.2019 - Candidate considered to have completed apprenticeship training only if appeared in NCVT examination on or before cut-off date, even if result not declared - NAC certificates showing passing in April 2019 despite actual exams held May/June 2019 - Applicants marked 'Yes' to completion of apprenticeship in online form despite not appearing for NCVT before cut-off - Provisional eligibility for CBT granted based on misrepresentation - Subsequent detection at document verification stage - Cancellation of candidature upheld as candidates suppressed facts and furnished incorrect information - Notification stipulation that eligibility determined by online application info and candidature rejected if false/incorrect/suppressed at any stage - No relaxation possible post-recruitment commencement per Supreme Court principle that rules of the game cannot be changed - Clarification by training authority suggesting consideration based on training completion date not binding on employer - Policy uniformity across zones maintained, erroneous appointments elsewhere rectified by terminations/de-empanellings. (Paras 20-26)

(B) Service Law - Recruitment Process - Suppression/Misrepresentation - Candidates must possess/fulfill eligibility on closing date; those awaiting final results barred from applying - Online application info sole basis for eligibility verification - Exemption from PET for CCAAs does not confer legitimacy if ineligible - No estoppel by allowing CBT participation on provisional basis. (Paras 21-23)

Facts of the case:
Multiple consolidated applications by Course Completed Act Apprentices trained in railway establishments challenging rejection under CEN 01/2019 Level-1 posts - Applicants completed practical training before 12.04.2019 but appeared for 109th AITT (NCVT theory exam) in May/June 2019 - Qualified CBT, exempted from PET, cleared DV/medical but held pending - Notice issued seeking proof of NCVT exam date before cut-off - 386 candidates including applicants rejected per Railway Board letter 01.11.2023 citing non-fulfillment of para 12.2.

Findings of Court:
Applicants ineligible as NCVT appearance post cut-off despite NAC showing April 2019 passing - Misrepresentation in online applications by affirming course completion - Respondents justified in cancelling candidatures - No fault attributable to applicants for exam delay as eligibility strictly per notification - Uniform policy applied; other zones rectified similar errors.

Issues: Whether CCAAs from 109th batch with training completion before cut-off but NCVT exam after qualify under para 12.2; validity of candidature cancellation for post-cut-off exam despite provisional CBT clearance; binding nature of training authority clarification.

Ratio Decidendi: Cut-off date crucial; completion requires NCVT appearance pre-cut-off - Misrepresentation/suppression warrants rejection at any stage - Employer not bound to relax notified criteria mid-process; rules of game immutable once recruitment starts - Training authority recommendation discretionary, not overriding.

Result: OAs dismissed.