Case:- UNION OF INDIA & ORS. VERSUS SAJIB ROY
Citation:- 2025 INSC 1084
Date:- 09.09.2025
Supreme Court Bench:- JUSTICE SURYA KANT & JUSTICE JOYMALYA BAGCHI
The Hon’ble Supreme Court observed that reserved category candidates who avail age relaxation to apply under the reserved category cannot later be considered for selection against unreserved (general) category vacancies if the recruitment rules explicitly prohibit such migration.
- The case came from SSC Constable (GD) recruitment, where the age limit was 18–23 years with a 3-year relaxation for OBC candidates. Some OBC candidates used this relaxation to qualify, and thohttps://api.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2019/28496/28496_2019_2_1505_64173_Judgement_09-Sep-2025.pdfugh they scored higher than the last general category candidate, they were not selected because they ranked below the last OBC candidate.
- The Hon’ble High Court of Tripura allowed their plea, saying they should be considered for unreserved seats on merit.
- The Hon’ble Supreme Court disagreed and said migration depends on the rules. If rules allow and no relaxation is taken, reserved candidates can compete for general seats. If rules bar it and relaxation is used, migration is not allowed.
- Since the SSC notification clearly barred such migration, the candidates could not claim general category seats.
- The Hon’ble Supreme Court set aside the Hon’ble High Court order and allowed the Union of India’s appeal.
