IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: February 09, 2026 RAJPAL ...Petitioner Versus CHAUDHARY BANSI LAL UNIVERSITY AND OTHERS ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA Present: Mr. Devender Arya, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Naman Jain, Advocate for the respondent-University.

TRIBHUVAN DAHIYA, J. (ORAL)

CM-1566-CWP-2026 For the reasons stated, the application is allowed, and short reply on behalf of the respondent-University is taken on record.

Main case The petition has been filed seeking a writ of certiorari quashing the advertisements dated 26.10.2020 and 19.01.2022, Annexures P-1 and P-2 respectively, and the consequential recruitment process carried out in terms thereof for the post of Assistant Professor (Geography).

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contended that the University invited applications for two posts of Assistant Professor (Geography); one under EWS category and the other under Unreserved category. The petitioner applied for the post as EWS category candidate and cleared the Screening Test held on 17.08.2022. As per result dated 15.03.2023, he was shown as one of the candidates shortlisted for interview under EWS category. The University, however, revised the result, vide notice dated 02.11.2023, Annexure P-9, and showed him as shortlisted candidate under Unreserved category. There was no reason for changing his category from EWS to Unreserved. It has also been pointed out that another candidate/Dinesh Goyat has been shortlisted at number one under both the categories. Also, that the University has withdrawn advertisements for various other posts which were issued along with the advertisements in question, vide withdrawal notice dated 15.07.2025, Annexure P-10. No reason has been mentioned for excluding the instant advertisements therefrom.

3. Per contra, learned counsel for the University has referred to the short reply filed on its behalf to contend that the petitioner’s name was provisionally included in the list of shortlisted candidates under EWS category. They were asked to submit the requisite documents, including the EWS income certificate for the financial year(s) 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, vide email dated 24.08.2023, but the petitioner submitted the certificate for the financial year 2020-2021 only and was, therefore, placed under General category. He also contends that the post in question was first advertised vide advertisement dated 26.10.2020, but the selection process could not be initiated in terms thereof and the post was re-advertised vide advertisement dated 19.01.2022, for which the closing date to apply was 08.02.2022. In terms of condition 30, the candidates were required to update their biodata in the application form with reference to their previous application and, accordingly, they were to submit the EWS certificate for financial year 2021-2022 as well. As the petitioner failed to submit the same, his candidature was rightly considered as General category candidate. The selection however has not been finalized as yet, as the matter is pending for final approval with the State Government.

4. Heard.

5. As apparent on record, the petitioner applied for the post in question pursuant to the first advertisement dated 26.10.2020. The post was re-advertised on 19.01.2022, and in terms of stipulation 30 contained therein, the candidates were only required to upload their biodata in the application form giving reference of the previous application. The said condition is to the following effect:

30. Candidates who have already applied against this University advt. no. CBLU/Estt./T-1//02/2020 need not to apply. However, such candidates may update their biodata in Application form giving reference of their previous applications (if he/she falls in his/her category in this advertisement).

It is not disputed that the petitioner was found eligible and shortlisted for interview as EWS category candidate. In response to email dated 24.08.2023, he submi