Cut-Off Date In Recruitment Not Arbitrary, Candidates Must Possess Qualification By Last Date Of Application: P&H High Court

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has held that prescribing the last date of submission of applications as the cut-off date for determining eligibility in recruitment processes is neither arbitrary nor unconstitutional, reiterating that candidates must possess the requisite qualifications by the stipulated date.Dismissing a writ petition filed by a candidate seeking relaxation of eligibility criteria, Justice Harpreet Singh Brar emphasized that such cut-off dates are essential to maintain certainty, fairness, and uniformity in public employment."The practice of prescribing a cut-off date for acquiring essential qualifications is not merely a formality but a well-entrenched legal principle rooted in constitutional values of equality, fairness, non-arbitrariness, and administrative efficiency. The recruitment process will be rendered open- ended and disorderly if time frames are not demarcated for achieving milestones. Rather, it is the duty of the recruitment agency to ensure no confusion or uncertainty clouds the process and all candidates are provided an equal opportunity to prove their eligibility, within the confines of the advertisement," the Court observed.It further added that, "Time and again, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has also reiterated that such cut-off dates are vital to establish the integrity of the recruitment process and thus, can only be interfered with in rare cases of pronounced arbitrariness or mala fide."The petitioner challenged Note (iii) under Clause 2 of Advertisement (No. CRA-316/26) issued by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) for recruitment to 622 posts of Junior Engineer (Electrical).The advertisement permitted candidates whose results were awaited to apply, subject to the condition that they acquire the requisite qualification by the last date of submission of online applications, i.e., May 10, 2026.The petitioner, who was pursuing a diploma in Electrical Engineering, had completed all semesters except one examination scheduled for June 2026, with the final result expected in July/August 2026. She contended that the cut-off date condition was arbitrary and sought permission to participate in the recruitment process.It was argued that the petitioner was on the verge of completing the qualification before the recruitment process would conclude.The cut-off date condition was unreasonable and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution and she had applied bona fide and mistakenly mentioned approximate aggregate marks instead of selecting the “result awaited” option.Authorities failed to respond to her representation seeking clarification before the application deadline, it was submitted.PSPCL opposed the petition, submitting that terms of the advertisement are binding and must be strictly followed and Eligibility must be determined as on the prescribed cut-off date.Mere submission of an application does not confer any right if eligibility conditions are not fulfilled and relaxing conditions for one candidate would compromise fairness and equality in the selection process.The Court relied on settled law laid down by the Supreme Court, including Bhupinderpal Singh v. State of Punjab (2000) 5 SCC 262, Ashok Kumar Sharma v. Chander Shekhar (1997) 4 SCC 18 and Rajasthan Public Service Commission v. Lavanshu Sankhla (2026).Reiterating these principles, the Court noted that eligibility must be assessed strictly with reference to the cut-off date mentioned in the advertisement, and subsequent acquisition of qualification cannot be considered.Stating that, "the petitioner is not entitled to any relief as prayed for in the present writ petition. No ground is made out for interference in exercise of extraordinary writ jurisdiction under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India," the plea was dismissed.Mr. Sirat Sapra, Advocate for the petitioner.Mr. Divanshu Jain, Advocate for the respondent/PSPCL.Title: Manpreet Kaur v. Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL)Click here to read order

Cut-Off Date In Recruitment Not Arbitrary, Candidates Must Possess Qualification By Last Date Of Application: P&H High Court

Aiman J. Chishti

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Cut-Off Date In Recruitment Not Arbitrary, Candidates Must Possess Qualification By Last Date Of Application: P&H High Court

Aiman J. Chishti

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Aiman J. Chishti

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