1. Writ petition challenging non-consideration of candidature under Outstanding Sports Person category for Nursing Officer post. (Para 1 , 2 )
Back
Next 
2026 Supreme(Raj) 465
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JAIPUR
ANAND SHARMA, J.
Nitesh Choudhary S/o Shri Narendra Singh – Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan – Respondent
S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 4380 of 2025
Decided On : 13-03-2026
Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellants : Ashwini Kumar Jaiman, Daksh Pareek, Keshav Parashar, Ashish Kalra
For the Respondents: Archit Bohra, Rahul Verma
For the Appellants : Ashwini Kumar Jaiman, Daksh Pareek, Keshav Parashar, Ashish Kalra
For the Respondents: Archit Bohra, Rahul Verma
Sports certificates from bodies recognized by the central ministry of youth affairs and sports may qualify a candidate for 'Outstanding Sports Person' quotas, regardless of whether the body is explicitly listed in recruitment notifications, subject to verification by the ministry.
Headnote:(A) Service Law - Recruitment - Notification dated 21.11.2019 - Definition of 'Outstanding Sports Person' - Validity of sports certificates for government appointment - Where the rules stipulate recognition by a national sports authority or affiliated federations, the court interpreted the objective of providing reservation for sports persons broadly to promote candidates who have represented the state in national or international events. (Paras 2, 7)
(B) Recognition of Sports Bodies - Even if a body is not specifically listed in the notification or advertisement, recognition by the central ministry overseeing youth affairs and sports may be considered a valid criterion for treating a candidate as an 'Outstanding Sports Person' in light of judicial precedent. (Paras 7, 10)
Facts of the case:
The petitioner sought appointment to a nursing post under the sports quota based on a gold medal certificate from a sports association. The respondents rejected the candidature because the association was not recognized as per the prescribed norms in the advertisement. The petitioner contended that the association is recognized by the central ministry of youth affairs and sports and relied on judicial precedent to support this claim.
Findings of Court:
The court observed that although the relevant notification does not explicitly mention the central ministry's recognition, previous judicial findings support the inclusion of such bodies. However, it was noted that there was no material on record to prove that the specific association in question is recognized by the said ministry.
Issues: Whether a sports certificate issued by a body recognized by the central ministry of youth affairs and sports, but not by the specified national sports federations, qualifies a candidate for the 'Outstanding Sports Person' category.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the status and validity of the organizing body should be verified with the central ministry of youth affairs and sports. If the ministry confirms the association's recognition, the candidate should be considered for the sports quota, provided they have secured suitable marks.
Result: Writ petition disposed of with directions to the respondents to verify the association's status with the central ministry within 30 days.
Legal Category Hierarchy
Table of Contents
2. Petitioner argued certificate from Ministry-recognized body valid; respondent argued only bodies in notification/advertisement qualify. (Para 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 )
3. Court noted Division Bench precedent where body recognized by Ministry was accepted despite not being in notification. (Para 7 , 8 )
4. Certificate from body recognized by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports may be valid for Outstanding Sports Person category. (Para 7 , 8 )
5. Respondents to query Ministry on body's recognition; if affirmative, consider petitioner; else no right to claim. (Para 9 , 10 , 11 )
6. Can a certificate from a body not listed in the notification or advertisement be considered for Outstanding Sports Person category?
Yes, if the issuing body is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, following the precedent in Garvit Vyas. (Para 7 , 8 )
7. What is the procedure when the petitioner's certificate issuing body's recognition is unclear?
The respondents must query the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to confirm the body's recognition status and then decide accordingly. (Para 10 )
JUDGMENT :
ANAND SHARMA, J.
1. Petitioner has filed this writ petition with following prayers:
"It is, therefore, humbly prayed that your Lordships may graciously be pleased to accept and allow this writ petition with costs and further be pleased to direct the respondents to bring the entire record and to the following effect:
i) Issue an appropriate writ order or direction the action of the respondents while not declaring the cut off marks for the Outstanding Sports Person be declared bad and illegal and respondents be directed to declare cut off marks for Outstanding Sports Person and offer appointment to the petitioner in aforementioned category with all consequential benefits.
ii) Issue an appropriate writ order or direction the action of the respondents while not considering the candidature of the petitioner under the Outstanding Sports Person be declared bad and illegal and respondents be directed to consider the candidature of the petitioner as Outstanding Sports Person and after such consideration he may be offered appointment on the post of Nursing Officer in urethane of advertisement dated 05.05.2023 with all consequential benefits.
iii) If any adverse order is passed against the petitioner during the pendency of the writ petition, same may be taken on record and same may be quashed and set aside.
iv) Any other appropriate order or direction which the Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances of the case."
2. At the outset, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that at the time, when the writ petition was filed by the petitioner, he was under apprehension that the respondents would not consider any of the candidates in 'Outstanding Sports Person' Category. However, during the pendency of the writ petition, although respondents have considered the candidates for recruitment in the category of 'Outstanding Sports Person' also, yet the petitioner has not been considered only for the reason that the certificate possessed by the petitioner for securing gold medal in Athletics in an event namely All India Athletics and TAA Sports Championship 2018 organized by Taken Aback Association of India has not been considered to be a recognized certificate as per prescribed norms given in the advertisement. Learned counsel submits that the guidelines for considering candidature of a candidate in 'Outstanding Sports Person' category cannot be construed in narrow manner and the sole object of notification dated 21.11.2019, whereby RPSC Rules were amended and clear guidelines were given for defining the expression 'Outstanding Sports Person', clearly reflects that the purpose is to promote and support a candidate who, due to belonging to State of Rajasthan, has represented in national/international events and has also secured some position. Learned counsel submits that as per notification dated 21.11.2019, a medal winner in the individual or in team event in any national tournament/championship of any sports and game, organized by the Indian Olympic Association or its affiliated National Sports Federation (N.S.F.) is considered to be a valid criteria for consideration of the candidate in the category of 'Outstanding Sports Person', however, even if a body is not specifically recognized by Indian Olympic Association, yet is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of Government of India can also be considered to be a valid qualification for being considered in the category of 'Outstanding Sports Person'.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner relies upon the judgment dated 01.08.2025 passed by Division Bench of this Court at Principle Seat, Jodhpur in D.B. Special Appeal (Writ) No. 111/2025 (Garvit Vyas Vs. State of Rajasthan & Ors.) in order to support his contention that where any body is duly recognized even by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, certificate issued by such body is considered as recognized for the purpose of treating a candidate in the category of 'Outstanding Sports Person'.
4.
