IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-32117-2025 (O&M)

Date of decision: 31.10.2025 Amit Ahalawat ....Petitioner Versus State of Haryana and others ....Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present: Mr. A.S. Nirmaan, Advocate, for the petitioner.

Mr. Kanwal Goyal, Advocate for respondent No.2-HPSC.

Ms. Mansi, Advocate for Mr. Sukhdeep S. Parmar, Advocate for respondent No.3-HSPCB.

HARPREET SINGH BRAR J. (Oral)

1. The present petition has been preferred under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari for quashing the scheme/pattern of exam for the screening test as laid down in announcement dated 13.08.2025 (Annexure P-3), for the post of Assistant Environmental Engineer in respondent No.3-Haryana State Pollution Control Board arising out of advertisement bearing No.20 of 2025 dated 13.08.2025 (Annexure P-2). 2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the petitioner possesses a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak. Being eligible, he applied to the post of Assistant Environmental Engineer in respondent-HSPCB as advertised vide advertisement (supra). He submits that the examination for the same is being conducted by respondent-HPSC in three steps- screening test, subject knowledge test and interview. However, the syllabus prescribed for the screening test outrightly excludes the subjects relevant to engineering. Further, as per announcement dated 13.08.2025 (Annexure P-3), only four times the number of total advertised posts i.e. 29, would be called for the next stage- subject knowledge test. Even for the examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, after the preliminary examination, candidates ten times in number with respect to the advertised posts are invited for the main examination. Further still, 45 posts of Assistant Environmental Engineer were advertised in the year 2023 vide advertisement bearing No.24/2023 dated 03.06.2023, followed by the announcement (Annexure P-4) of a scheme of the exam wherein the syllabus for screening test involved waste management, natural resources, environment and engineering subject. As such, the petitioner had a legitimate expectation that a similar pattern would be followed for subsequent examination for the same post. The screening test criterion does not test the candidates on their knowledge in the subjects relevant to the post and has no rational nexus with the advertised post. Testing the candidates on their general knowledge, history etc does not serve any purpose as the post of Assistant Environmental Engineer has a technical nature, which is why essential qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in engineering in first division in Civil/Chemical/ Environmental Engineering. Learned counsel places reliance on the judgment rendered by a Coordinate Bench of this Court in Lakhan Singh vs. State of Haryana and others in CWP-25672-

2025.

3. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent-HPSC submits that with respect to the notified in the year 2023, a total of 7189 applications were received against 54 posts, increased from 45 by way or corrigendum dated 22.08.2023. However, on completion of the process, only 25 candidates were recommended for appointment leaving 29 posts vacant. Since over half of the posts were left vacant, it was decided to simplify the syllabus for the screening test by including general topics and advertisement (supra) was issued with respect to the said 29 posts. Moreover, till date, neither did the petitioner raise any grievance or moved a representation with respect to the syllabus. When admit cards have been issued to 3637 candidates and all necessary arrangements have been made, the petitioner has filed the instant writ petition. Learned counsel further contends that a candidate only needs to secure 25% marks in the screening test to be eligible for the next stage- subject knowledge