SC refuses economically weaker section quota benefit to candidates in UP recruitment over invalid certificates

EWS candidates excluded from UP health worker recruitment despite exam success. Representational Pic

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea by several candidates seeking Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation in an Uttar Pradesh recruitment process, ruling that invalid income certificates cannot be used to claim the benefit.

Bench hears challenge to Allahabad HC order

According to PTI, a bench of Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Prasanna B. Varale was hearing a petition filed by Poonam Dwivedi and other candidates challenging an Allahabad High Court order that had rejected their contention.

Valid EWS certificate mandatory, says court

Upholding the High Court's decision, the bench said the candidates failed to furnish valid EWS certificates for the relevant financial year, as required under recruitment rules.

Court highlights error in certificates

In its order, the court said, "If the certificate(s) relied upon by the appellants were not in respect of the financial year prior to the year of the application and were issued even before the closure of the relevant financial year, there was an error apparent on the face of those certificates."

Recruitment for 9,000 posts at centre of case

The case arose from recruitment to over 9,000 posts of female health workers in the state, where certain candidates under the EWS category were excluded from the final selection list despite clearing the written examination.

Candidates cite administrative errors

The candidates argued that discrepancies in their certificates were due to errors by issuing authorities and confusion regarding the applicable financial year.

Certificates found invalid for eligibility

Rejecting the contention, the bench noted that the certificates were either issued before the closure of the relevant financial year or pertained to the wrong period.

The court emphasised that EWS certificates must relate to the financial year preceding the application year and be valid as on the cut-off date.

"In such circumstances, we do not find any good reason to interfere with the order passed by the High Court," the court said.

The court also held that candidates cannot blame authorities for issuing incorrect certificates, especially when they had enough opportunity to obtain proper documentation.

Strict compliance in recruitment process

The bench reiterated that eligibility conditions in public recruitment must be strictly followed, noting that even minor discrepancies can lead to rejection.

The court added that such challenges should not ordinarily be entertained, as they may delay recruitment and affect thousands of aspirants.

(With PTI inputs)