WP(C)/4113/2026 of BINOD RAJBHAR Vs THE UNION OF INDIA AND 3 ORS on 14 September 2026

ORDER

Date : 15.09.2026

Heard Mr. R. Bora, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. S. S. Roy, learned CGC appearing for the respondent Union of India. [2.] Having regard to the nature of grievance projected by the petitioner, the matter is taken up for disposal at this stage. [3.] It is the case of the petitioner that he applied for the post of Constable (GD) in the Central Arms Police Force. Having qualified in the Computer Based Test and in the PST/PET tests, the petitioner was asked to produce OBC Non- Creamy Layer (NCL) Certificate as on 14.10.2024, as per Clause – 6.5 of the Advertisement dated 05.09.2024. Since, the petitioner produced the OBC NCL Certificate dated 06.01.2025, his candidature was rejected vide Rejection Slip dated 02.12.2025. [4.] Mr. R. Bora, learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Government of India in the Staff Selection Commission vide Important Notice dated 17.08.2017 (Annexure – E) at Clause – 3(i) has provided that in view of the decision of the Apex Court in SLP No.3116/2017 (Union of India v. Abdul Rasheed), the Commission will not insist on candidates producing OBC Certificates issued within the cut off dates i.e., three (3) years, before the last date of receipt of applications and up to 180 days after the closing date of applications mentioned in the Notices. [5.] Going by the said instructions, the learned counsel submits that the impugned Rejection Slip given to the petitioner is not justified in view of the fact that the OBC NCL Certificate dated 06.01.2025 is within the cut-off date of 180 days from the date of closing of the applications. [6.] The learned counsel submits that in a case of similar nature, this Court vide Order dated 07.04.2026 in WP(C) No. 555 of 2026 (Shri Chandan Chauhan v. Union of India & Ors.), noticing the instructions given in the Important Notice dated 17.08.2017 has set aside the Rejection Slip of the petitioner concerned and remanded the matter back to the authorities by giving the benefit of the Important Notice dated 17.08.2017 to the petitioner and directed for medical examination of the petitioner by taking into account the OBC NCL Certificate produced by him. [7.] The learned counsel submits that the case of the present petitioner is squarely covered by the said direction and, therefore, a similar order may be passed. [8.] Mr. S. S. Roy, learned CGC, clearly submits that in view of the Important Notice dated 17.08.2017, the case of the petitioner apparently being covered by the same, a similar order may be passed by this Court. [9.] Considering the above, the impugned Rejection Slip dated 02.12.2025 (Annexure – D) rejecting the candidature of the petitioner is hereby set aside. The matter is remanded back to the respondent authorities concerned to re-visit the process by applying the benefits conferred by the Important Notice dated

17.08.2017 and to pass necessary orders to place the petitioner for medical examination. The selection of the petitioner, however, shall be governed by the outcome of the medical examination. [10.] The writ petition is disposed of as allowed. [11.] The exercise directed here-in-above to be completed within a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant