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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 13.03.2026 Puneet Kaur .... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab and others .... Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR Present: Ms. Alka Chatrath, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Surya Kumar, AAG, Punjab.

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NAMIT KUMAR, J. (ORAL)

1 . The instant petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking quashing of order dated 10.09.2025 (Annexure P-13), passed by the Director, Education Recruitment Directorate, Department of School Education, Punjab (respondent No.3), whereby the claim of the petitioner for non-inclusion of her name in the select list (Annexures P-8 and P-9) for the post of ETT Teacher against advertisement No.3/2022, dated 12.10.2022 (Annexure P-3), has been rejected.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that vide advertisement No.3/2022, dated 12.10.2022 (Annexure P-3), 419 posts under Sportsman Category (General) were advertised, which included 359 backlog posts of Sportsman Category (General), and only 45 have been filled and the claim of the petitioner ought to have been considered against the remaining vacant posts. She further submits that the petitioner has applied under the said category and Sports Gradation Certificate, dated 01.01.2015 has been annexed with the petition as Annexure P-2. She further submits that the petitioner had earlier filed CWP No.23767 of 2025, claiming the said benefit and the said petition was disposed of by this Court, vide order dated 19.08.2025, to consider the legal notice dated 04.06.2025, within a period of 4 months. In pursuance to the said direction, the claim of the petitioner has been rejected, vide order dated 10.09.2025 (Annexure P-13), by giving the following reasons:-

“3. That the Department of School Education, Punjab invited online applications for the posts of Elementary Trained Teacher (E.T.T.) Cadre (Class III post) vide advertisement dated 12.10.2022. The petitioner applied under General Sports category. The petitioner has participated in District Level Tournament under-19 and secured 1” position, hence, was issued ‘D’ grade Sports certificate. That in General Conditions No.7(v) of the advertisement, it was specifically prescribed as under:-

“7(v) “Candidates applying under the Sports category must submit a Sports certificate, duly graded by the Director Sports, Punjab, at the time of scrutiny. For this category, selection will be based solely on Sports merit, which shall be finalized by the Director Sports, Punjab as per Rules.”

4. That as mentioned above, the merit under Sports category is prepared by the Directorate of Sports, Government of Punjab in accordance with the Punjab Recruitment of Sportsmen Rules, 1988. In Rule 2(b) of the Rules, 1988, it is specifically prescribed as under:-

“(b) In case of recruitment to reserved vacancy in Class III posts:-

(i) that he belongs to State of Punjab; and (ii) that he has won first, second or third position in team or individual events while representing the State of Punjab in a State Level Championship in any of the discipline affiliated to the Punjab Olympic Association organized by the State Level Federation.”

5. That Education Recruitment Directorate conducted the selection process regarding the 5994 posts of ETT Cadre (Class III post) advertised on 12.10.2022. As per the information received from the O/o Directorate of Sports vide Letter dated 25.09.2024, the minimum sports achievement for ‘Class III’ post under Punjab Recruitment of Sportsmen Rules, 1988 is securing position at State level Tournament. The petitioner, Puneet Kaur, has won medal at District level tournament. Hence, the petitioner was declared ineligible for the ETT Cadre post.”

3. Notice of motion.

4. On receipt of advance copy of the petition, Mr. Surya Kumar, AAG, Punjab appears and accepts notice on behalf of respondents. He submits that as per Punjab Recruitment of Sportsman Rules, 1988, the petitioner, who has participated at D