NIVEDITA NAMDEO vs DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY on 13 October 2026

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL JABALPUR Order Sheet Item no.: 12 O.A./961/2026 (JABALPUR) [ SELECTION ] Court No.: 2 No of Adjournment: Order Dated: 13/10/2026 NIVEDITA NAMDEO Vs DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

For Applicant(s) Advocate : SHRI ROHIT NANEPAG PROXY COUNSEL FOR SHRI RAJESH CHAND

For Respondent(s) Advocate : SHRI D S BAGHEL FOR RESPONDENT NO. 3 ON ADVANCE NOTICE Order of The Tribunal The matter has been taken up today through hybrid mode. Heard. Issue notice to the respondents as per rules. Also heard on the prayer for interim relief. The applicant has sought for the following interim relief in this O.A. “9. During the pendency of the present Original Application, the Applicant most prays that this Hon'ble Tribunal may graciously be pleased to direct the Respondents to permit the Applicant to appear in the interview on such date as may be directed by this Hon'ble Tribunal, subject to verification of her documents and subject to the final outcome of the present Original Application. The Applicant further prays that the Respondents may kindly be directed to keep one post reserved/vacant for the Applicant, pending final adjudication of the present Original Application, so that the relief sought herein does not become infructuous and the Applicant is not deprived of a fair opportunity to participate in the selection process, in the interest of justice.”

The facts of the case in brief is that the applicant is a Post Graduate and belongs to Other Backward Class (OBC) (Non-Creamy Layer). Since the applicant holds the eligibility criteria, as required for the post under the notification 01/2025, she applied for the post of PGT in English. The applicant appeared in the exam and successfully cleared the preliminary and written examination and was eligible to participate in the interview. Thereafter the respondents issued a letter dated 30.09.2026 wherein the candidature of the applicant has been rejected solely on the ground that the OBC, Non-Creamy Layer Certificate falls outside the prescribed period/cut-off window stipulated under the recruitment notification. The applicant is seeking the interim relief on the ground that her candidature was not considered for selection on account of non-issuance/non-availability of the caste certificate within the prescribed time. Shri D.S.Baghel, learned counsel appeared on advance notice for respondent No. 3 and has opposed the prayer for grant of interim relief on the ground that the caste certificate was produced beyond the prescribed time limit. Applicant’s counsel submits that recruitment notification was issued on 13.11.2025 and the cut of date of issuance of OBC certificate was between 01.01.2025 to last date of application i.e. 04.12.2025. Therefore window to obtain the certificate was very short. We observe that the applicant would have applied for the certificate well in time. However the same has been issued on 07.01.2026 by the competent authority. Under the circumstances, rejection of the applicant’s candidature solely on the ground of non-submission of the caste certificate within the stipulated period, when the delay in its issuance was beyond her control, may cause undue prejudice to her. Therefore, as an interim measure, the respondents are directed to consider the candidature of the applicant and permit her to appear in the interview before declaration of the final result. It is made clear that such consideration shall remain subject to the final outcome of the present Original Application. No equity shall accrue to the applicant merely on account of such provisional consideration. Respondents are directed to file their detailed reply within four weeks. List the matter for further consideration on 26.11.2026. Smt Mallika Arya Member (A) RAJINDER SINGH DOGRA Member (J) Rajul Namdeo ( steno 'c' )