NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has ruled that candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections are entitled to general category posts if they secure the cutoff marks stipulated for general category.The ruling by a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine G Masih was inspired by SC’s landmark verdict in the Indra Sawhney case of 1992 which had granted 27% reservation to OBCs in govt jobs. The bench dismissed a petition by Rajasthan HC which, while recruiting candidates for certain posts, had barred reserved category candidates from getting appointed against general category posts despite securing more marks than the cutoff fixed for general category.When an HC division bench ruled in favour of reserved category candidates who wanted to be considered for general category posts, HC moved SC, arguing that considering reserved category candidates for general category posts would amount to their being granted double benefit. Writing the judgment, Justice Datta said, “We hold that the word ‘open’ connotes nothing but ‘open’, meaning thereby that vacant posts which are sought to be filled by earmarking it as ‘open’ do not fall in any category.”Upholding the HC division bench’s decision, SC said, “The availability of reservation doesn’t operate as a bar for a reserved category candidate from being considered on merit against the unreserved category.”The HC recruitment process was based on a written test followed by an interview. SC said if a reserved category candidate gets more marks more than the cutoff prescribed for general category, they should be considered to be in general category while appearing for interview. If the cumulative marks fall short of the cutoff for general category, they would be considered under the reserved category to which they belonged.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Sport Should Be Kept Apart From Politics” Tharoor On Mustafizur RowProbe Reveals Red Fort Blast Module Used ‘Ghost’ SIM Cards For Encrypted ChatsMatter Of Deep Concern: MEA Reacts To US Strikes On Venezuela, Urges Restraint’Lunatic Rulers’: Shashi Tharoor, Singhvi, Owaisi, Other Indian Leaders On US Strikes In VenezuelaIndian Army Raises Bhairav Special Force With Over One Lakh Drone Operatives For Modern WarfareCM Revanth Reddy’s Remarks In Telangana Assembly Sparks Row, BRS Slams ‘Filthy Language’‘If Trump Can Capture Maduro, Why Can’t Modi Bring Back 26/11 Mastermind From Pakistan’: Owaisi‘Avoid All Non-Essential Travel To Venezuela’: India Issues Advisory For Citizens After US Strikes”No Control Over Minority Violence In Bangladesh…”: Former Indian Envoy Slams Yunus Govt“Infamous For His Tour With Anti-National Propaganda”: BJP Rips Rahul Gandhi Over Vietnam Visit123PhotostoriesPCOS beyond periods: How it affects mental health and metabolismMood fixes to outsmart the Monday blues before 9 AM20 minutes visceral fat-burning exercise routine to try at home4 everyday foods that help babies learn to chew naturally10 cheapest markets in Mumbai for street shoppingBeyond the Birkin: 5 times Aishwarya Rai Bachchan proved the ‘Mom Bag’ is the ultimate luxury flex8 common Japanese words and phrases worth learningNayanthara to Tara Sutaria: Decoding first looks of ‘Toxic’s female cast – Who understood the assignment best?Vaginal health: NHS doc debunks popular myths women still believe6 places where the world’s deadliest snakes are found123Hot PicksUS strikes VenezuelaVande Bharat Sleeper TrainPublic holidays January 2026Gold rate todayDelcy RodríguezVivek RamaswamyBank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingSan Francisco 49ersBrittany MahomesNoah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Net WorthWayne Gretzky Daughter Net WorthSidney Crosby LifestyleLeBron James vs Stephen Curry Net WorthTom BradyLeBron James WifeCam ThomasCharlie Kirk
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has ruled that candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections are entitled to general category posts if they secure the cutoff marks stipulated for general category.The ruling by a bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine G Masih was inspired by SC’s landmark verdict in the Indra Sawhney case of 1992 which had granted 27% reservation to OBCs in govt jobs. The bench dismissed a petition by Rajasthan HC which, while recruiting candidates for certain posts, had barred reserved category candidates from getting appointed against general category posts despite securing more marks than the cutoff fixed for general category.When an HC division bench ruled in favour of reserved category candidates who wanted to be considered for general category posts, HC moved SC, arguing that considering reserved category candidates for general category posts would amount to their being granted double benefit. Writing the judgment, Justice Datta said, “We hold that the word ‘open’ connotes nothing but ‘open’, meaning thereby that vacant posts which are sought to be filled by earmarking it as ‘open’ do not fall in any category.”Upholding the HC division bench’s decision, SC said, “The availability of reservation doesn’t operate as a bar for a reserved category candidate from being considered on merit against the unreserved category.”The HC recruitment process was based on a written test followed by an interview. SC said if a reserved category candidate gets more marks more than the cutoff prescribed for general category, they should be considered to be in general category while appearing for interview. If the cumulative marks fall short of the cutoff for general category, they would be considered under the reserved category to which they belonged.