IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 26^th February, 2026.

JITENDER KUMAR .…...Appellant(s)

V/s HARYANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND OTHERS ......Respondent(s)

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ROHIT KAPOOR Present Mr. Vipin Pal Yadav, Advocate, Mr. J.S. Sohal, Advocate, Ms. Avakshi Sharma, Advocate and Mr. Mavi Singh, Advocate, for the appellant.

Mr. Kanwal Goyal, Advocate for the respondent-HPSC.

Mr. Rajesh Gaur, Addl. A.G., Haryana.

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ASHWANI KUMAR MISHRA, J. (Oral)

1. This Appeal assails judgment dated 20.02.2026 passed by the learned Single Judge, whereby the appellant has been held ineligible for appointment to the post of Assistant Professor (College Cadre) in Geography pursuant to the advertisement in question.

2. Admittedly, the appellant claimed the status of an ex-serviceman and sought appointment to the concerned post against advertisement No. 51/2024. The last date for making of the application was 15.03.2025. It is undisputed that on that day, the appellant was in service ‑

and he retired only on 01.07.2025. The respondent authorities have, therefore, declined the candidature of the appellant, and this view