Merit Over Manipulation: Punjab & Haryana HC Slams HSSC for Arbitrary Department Allocation in JE Recruitment

Case Name: Aman Duddi & Ors. v. Haryana Staff Selection Commission & Ors.

Date of Judgment: 09.03.2026

Citation: CWP-12842-2020 & Connected Matters

Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar

Held: The High Court held that in a combined recruitment, allocation of departments must strictly adhere to inter-se merit. Any system that allows lower-ranked candidates to secure more preferred departments over higher-ranked candidates is arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.

Summary: The petitioners challenged the action of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission in allocating departments for the post of Junior Engineer (Civil), contending that despite being higher in merit, they were denied their preferred departments while lower-ranked candidates were granted the same.

The recruitment process required candidates to indicate preferences for departments. The petitioners had secured higher marks than several selected candidates but were allotted departments much lower in their preference list, whereas candidates with lesser marks were allotted more desirable departments. The grievance arose from the Commission’s decision to prioritize candidates who had indicated three or fewer preferences, irrespective of merit.

The Court noted that this criterion was not part of the original advertisement and was introduced during the selection process. It observed that such a change mid-process undermines fairness and transparency. The Court emphasized that merit is not merely relevant for selection but must also govern allocation of posts or departments in a combined recruitment.

It was further held that permitting lower-ranked candidates to obtain preferred departments amounts to arbitrariness and violates the principles of equality and equal opportunity in public employment. The Court reiterated that public recruitment must inspire confidence and operate strictly within constitutional parameters.

Decision: The High Court allowed the writ petitions and held that the allocation process adopted by the Commission was arbitrary and unsustainable. It directed that allocation of departments must be carried out strictly in accordance with inter-se merit and the preferences indicated by candidates.