Candidates are entitled to height relaxation by rounding off fractions to the next higher centimeter during Physical Standard Tests, as per Clause 2(d) of the Revised Uniform Guidelines dated 20.05.2015.

COMMON ORDER:

As the similar issue is involved in both these writ petitions, they are being disposed of by this common order.

2. Heard Sri Ravi Chandrasekhar, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri N. Bhujanga Rao, Deputy Solicitor General of India appearing for the respondent No.1 and Sri G. Venkateswarlu, learned Standing Counsel for the respondent Nos.2 to 4 in both the writ petitions.

3. Both these writ petitions are filed questioning the action of the respondents in rejecting the candidature of the petitioners by not extending the benefit of relaxation as contemplated in Clause 2(d) of Revised Uniform Guidelines dated 20.05.2015 as illegal and arbitrary and consequently direct the respondents to declare the petitioners as eligible for Detailed Medical Examination (DME) by setting aside the PST rejection slips dated 26.08.2025 and 23.08.2025 respectively.

4. Learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that the same issue was considered by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay in W.P.Nos.12664 and 12671 of 2025 dated 01.10.2025, wherein it was held in para Nos.18 and 19 as under;

“18. Clause 2(d) of the Said Guidelines, which provides for rounding off of the height to the next higher centimeter would be applicable at the stage of Physical Standard Test. The benefit conferred by the Said Guidelines was required to be extended to the petitioners at the Physical Standard Test stage. Disqualifying the petitioners at the stage of Physical Standard Test on account of their height being 164.7 cms and 164.6 cms, respectively, is illegal and arbitrary. We are of the considered opinion that the petitioners are entitled to the benefit of height relaxation in terms of Clause 2(d) of the Said Guidelines by rounding off the fraction of the height to the next higher centimeter.

19. In view of the above, both the Writ Petitions are allowed in terms of prayer Clause (a). Petitioners are hereby given benefit of the relaxation in terms of Clause 2(d) of the Said Guidelines, consequently respondents are directed to consider the height of the petitioner in W.P.No.12664 of 2025 which is 164.7 cms to be 165 cms and the height of the petitioner in W.P.No.12671 of 2025 which is 164.6 cms to be 165 cms, thereby declaring both the petitioners eligible for the Detailed Medical Examination”.

5. Learned Counsel for the petitioners further submits that the said order was upheld by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Special Leave to Appeal (C) Nos.38692-38694 of 2025 dated 16.01.2026 and in view of the same, the respondents have to consider the case of the petitioners as per the directions issued by the High Court of Bombay in W.P.Nos.12664 and 12671 of 2025 dated 01.10.2025.

6. On the other hand, learned Standing Counsel for the respondents has not disputed the order passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay in W.P.Nos.12664 and 12671 of 2025 dated 01.10.2025 and upholding the said order by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Special Leave to Appeal (C) Nos.38692-38694 of 2025 dated 16.01.2026 and requested to pass appropriate orders.

7. In view of the said submissions, both the Writ Petitions are allowed by setting aside the PST/PET rejection slips dated 26.08.2025 and 23.08.2025 of the petitioners respectively and the respondents are directed to extend the benefit of relaxation to the petitioners as contemplated in Clause 2(d) of Revised Uniform Guidelines dated 20.05.2015 and declare the petitioners eligible for the Detailed Medical Examination. No order as to costs.

8. Miscellaneous Petitions, if any pending in these writ petitions, shall