lalita meena vs HOME AFFAIRS on 28 October 2026

1. UNION OF INDIA THROUGH ITS THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS, NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI-110001.

2. STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION, THROUGH CHAIRMAN BLOCK NO 12 CGO COMPLEX LODHI ROAD NEW DELHI-110003

3. THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE DELHI POLICE POLICE HEADQARTER JAI SINGH ROAD, NEW DELHI 110001

4. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, RECRUITMENT CELL, DELHI POLICE, NEW POLICE LINES, KINGSWAY CAMP, DELHI-110009.

.... RESPONDENTS

[By Advocate :Mr. Vaishnav Kirti Singh]

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ORDER (ORAL)

Hon’ble Ms. Harvinder Kaur Oberoi, Member (J) The applicant has filed the present Original Application challenging her exclusion from the recruitment process for the post of Constable (Executive) Female, Delhi Police Examination, 2025, on the ground that her height was recorded as 154.6 cm during the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT) conducted on 20.08.2026.

2. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant belongs to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category and was shortlisted for the PE&MT/DV stage after securing the requisite normalized marks in the Computer Based Examination. It is submitted that the applicant successfully completed the prescribed physical endurance events, including race, long jump and high jump. However, at the stage of physical measurement, her height was recorded as 154.6 cm, resulting in her exclusion from the recruitment process.

3. Learned counsel for the applicant further submits that, immediately after the aforesaid measurement, the applicant got her height medically verified at a Government medical facility at Jaipur. The Chief Medical Officer, Jaipur, vide certificate dated 22.08.2026, recorded her height as 155 cm. It is contended that the discrepancy between the measurement recorded by the respondents and the subsequent Government medical certificate raises a bona fide doubt regarding the correctness of the measurement conducted during the PE&MT. The applicant is stated to have submitted a representation dated 22.08.2026 seeking fresh and ARTI

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independent measurement of her height, along with an opportunity of personal hearing; however, her grievance has not been effectively redressed.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant also submits that the applicant had been declared qualified in the height measurement conducted during the recruitment examination in the year 2021, when her height was recorded as 155.5 cm. It is further contended that the applicant is not seeking any relaxation or concession beyond the prescribed recruitment standards but is only seeking an independent and fair determination of her actual height. Reliance has been placed upon the decisions of this Tribunal in O.A. No. 3670/2024, Ashok Kumar Saini v. Union of India & Ors., decided on 20.09.2024, and O.A. No. 4003/2026, M.S. Soni Devi v. Union of India, decided on 13.10.2026, as well as the judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi in Staff Selection Commission & Ors. v. Aman Singh, 2024 SCC OnLine Del 7600.

5. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondents opposes the relief sought by the applicant and submits that the physical measurement was conducted by the competent authorities in accordance with the prescribed recruitment procedure and applicable standards. It is contended that the applicant was found short of the requisite height during the PE&MT and, therefore, her exclusion cannot be faulted merely on the basis of a subsequent medical certificate obtained independently. The respondents maintain that the prescribed eligibility conditions are required to be applied uniformly to all candidates and that no departure therefrom can be permitted except as provided under the applicable recruitment rules. ARTI

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6. We have considered the submissions made by learned counsel for the parties and perused the material placed on record.

7. The prescribed minimum height for female candidates is stated to be 157 cm, with a relaxation of 2 cm available to candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category, subject to the applicable recruitment rules. In the case of the applicant, the measurement recorded during the PE&MT is 154.6 cm, whereas the subsequent certificate issued by the Chief Medical Officer, Jaipur, records her height as 155 cm. The applicant has thus raised a specific dispute regarding the correctness of a physical measurement which is capable of objective verification.

8. In these circumstances, without expressing any opinion on the applicant’s ultimate eligibility or the merits of her candidature, we are of the considered view that the discrepancy in the recorded measurements may be examined through a fresh and independent measurement by a duly constituted Medical/Physical Measurement Board at a Government hospital. Such an exercise would not amount to granting any relaxation in the prescribed standards; rather, it would ensure that the applicant’s candidature is assessed on the basis of an objectively verified measurement and in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules.

9. Accordingly, the present Original Application is disposed of with the following directions:

(i) The respondents shall produce and preserve the original PE&MT record pertaining to the applicant, including the physical measurement sheet and any ARTI

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rejection slip or contemporaneous record indicating the basis on which her height was recorded as 154.6 cm.

(ii) The respondents shall arrange for a fresh measurement of the applicant’s height by a duly constituted Medical/Physical Measurement Board at a Government hospital, after giving her prior notice of the date, time and venue of such measurement.

(iii) The fresh measurement shall be conducted objectively, both digitally and manually, in accordance with the prescribed procedure, and the results of both measurements shall be duly recorded. The applicant shall be informed of the outcome.

(iv) In the event the applicant establishes that she belongs to the Scheduled Tribe category, the respondents shall consider and extend the admissible relaxation of 2 cm in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules and the relevant examination notice.

(v) The respondents shall thereafter consider the applicant’s candidature in accordance with the applicable eligibility conditions, recruitment rules and merit position. It is clarified that the present order does not confer any automatic right to appointment upon the applicant.

10. The aforesaid exercise shall be completed, as far as practicable, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

11. It is clarified that the prescribed minimum height for female candidates is 157 cm, with a relaxation of 2 cm available to candidates belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category, subject to the applicable recruitment rules. The ARTI

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applicant’s height shall be measured both digitally and manually to ensure accuracy. In the event the applicant establishes her claim of belonging to the ST category, the respondents shall extend the admissible relaxation in accordance with the applicable rules.

12. There shall be no order as to costs.

(Dr. Sumeet Jerath) (Harvinder Kaur Oberoi) Member (A) Member (J)

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ARTI 2026.10.30 17:18:58+05'30' ARTI