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to decide on LL.B requirement for counsellor post
The has stepped into a growing over the post of counsellor in the , issuing notice to the committee on a petition that challenges the sudden introduction of a .
Court Seeks Response Over New Eligibility Criterion
Justice Sudeepti Sharma, presiding over the matter, directed the HCLSC to file its reply before the next hearing. The court listed the case for , after the respondent’s counsel accepted notice and requested time to respond.
The petitioners—Apurva Banchata and other general counsellors—have been working on a since 2024. They hold Master’s degrees in Psychology but lack the LL.B qualification. Until a notification issued on , the post required only a Master’s degree in Psychology. The now demand both a Master’s in Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Law, effectively barring the petitioners from future appointments.
New Rule Leaves Experienced Counsellors in Limbo
The petitioners argue that the abrupt change in eligibility is and unfairly targets existing contractual employees who have already been serving in the role. They contend that a Master’s degree in Psychology alone should be sufficient for the counselling position, especially given their prior experience. The HCLSC has yet to file its formal response, but the court has set a clear timeline for the committee to lay out its reasoning.
Key Observations from the Court
Justice Sharma, in a brief , stated: “Reply, if any, be filed before the next date of hearing with a copy in advance to the learned counsel for the petitioners.”
The order also noted that the parties had been given notice and that the matter would be taken up on , for further hearing.
Next Hearing Set for September 1
With the reply deadline set, the court is expected to hear on the eligibility challenge in the coming weeks. The outcome of this case could set a for qualification requirements for counselling roles within the legal services framework across the state.
