SC Says Public Jobs Must Go to Eligible Candidates as Per Prescribed Qualifications

The Supreme Court has ruled that public employment must be offered strictly in accordance with prescribed eligibility criteria, holding that a candidate who conceals higher educational qualifications to obtain a job meant for less-educated applicants cannot claim a right to continue in service.

A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan set aside a Madras High Court order that had reinstated K. Poovaran, a temporary attendant at Syndicate Bank , after finding that he had suppressed the fact that he was a graduate while applying for a post reserved for candidates with qualifications up to Class 10.

The court observed that public jobs must be available to all eligible candidates according to the qualifications prescribed for a particular post. Allowing a more highly qualified candidate to secure a position specifically intended for less-qualified applicants would deprive a genuinely eligible and deserving person of an employment opportunity.

The bench noted that the bank's requisition to the Employment Exchange permitted only candidates who did not possess qualifications beyond the prescribed limit. Once it emerged that Poovaran held a degree at the time his name was sponsored, he became ineligible for consideration and could not acquire any enforceable right to continue in service.

Questioning the employee's bona fides, the court said he disclosed only his Class 10 qualification despite being required to provide his complete educational record. It also noted that his later attempt to seek permission to pursue graduation while in service appeared aimed at creating the impression that he did not already possess a degree when appointed.

The judges clarified that while overqualification is not automatically a disqualification , recruitment authorities are entitled to prescribe upper educational limits where the objective is to create employment opportunities for people who could not pursue higher education. Such policies, the court said, are reasonable, equitable and have consistently been upheld by courts.