Madhya Pradesh High Court
Union Of India vs Arun Kalmodiya on 20 November, 2025
Author: Vijay Kumar Shukla
Bench: Vijay Kumar Shukla
NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790
1 WA-2932-2025
IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH
AT INDORE
BEFORE
HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE VIJAY KUMAR SHUKLA
&
HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE BINOD KUMAR DWIVEDI
ON THE 20th OF NOVEMBER, 2025
WRIT APPEAL No. 2932 of 2025
UNION OF INDIA AND OTHERS
Versus
ARUN KALMODIYA
Appearance:
Shri Sunil Kumar Jain, Additional Solicitor General with Shri Romesh
Dave - Deputy Solicitor General for the appellant.
Dr. Khuzema Kapadia - Advocate for the respondent.
ORDER
Per: Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla Heard on I.A No.9901/2025, which is an application for condonation of delay.
2. For the reasons stated in the application, the same is allowed and the delay is condoned.
3. The present intra-Court appeal has been filed being aggrieved by the judgment and final order dated 17/2/2025 passed by the learned Single Judge in W.P No.34269/2024 whereby the said petition filed by the respondent was allowed and the rejection of this candidature was set aside.
4. The writ petitioner filed the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, against the order dated 21.10.2024 whereby, the writ Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 2 WA-2932-2025 petitioner, who had appeared in the examination for the post of Sub- Inspector in the Delhi Police/Central Armed Police Forces, was informed that since his height is 169.6 centimeters, which is less than the standard height for the said post, thererfore, he is not eligible for the said post. An appeal was also preferred by the petitioner against the said order, but the same has also been dismissed as the height of the petitioner was found to be 169.6 centimeters only.
5. Facts of the case draped in brevity are that the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) had published online advertisement on 04.03.2024 for recruitment of Sub Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination 2024, through open Competitive Examination and online applications were invited from the eligible Male & Female candidates. As per advertisement, the recruitment test was comprising of computer-based examination, Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET) & Documentation and Medical Examination. In pursuance to the online advertisement, writ petitioner resident of Ward No. 09, Gandhi Chowk Tilawad Maina, PO- Tilawad Maina, Distt- Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh, PIN- 465333, applied as OBC candidate through online application. Accordingly, writ petitioner was issued online e-Admission Certificate with Roll No.6006005450 for appearing in Computer Based Examination on dated 28/6/2024 at IPS Academy, Knowledge Village, A B Road, Rajendra Nagar, Indore, Madhya Pradesh. On qualifying the Computer Based Examination, the writ petitioner was called upon for phase-II i.e Physical Endurance Test (PET) and Physical Standard Test (PST) on 21.10.2024 and accordingly, the Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 3 WA-2932-2025 writ petitioner had reported at SSB Academy, Bhopal, Vill- Chandukheri PO- Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal (MP) PIN- 462036. Writ petitioner had undergone Physical Endurance Test (PET) conducted by the detailed Board of Officers and qualified the same in terms of the required norms as envisaged in the online advertisement published by SSC on 04.03.2024. The writ petitioner had appeared in the aforesaid examination, the guidelines regarding which have been issued in the year 2015, which are known as Guidelines for Recruitment Medical Examination in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles.
6. The petitioner's contention before the single Judge was that even assuming the height of the petitioner to be 169.6 centimeters, the benefit of Sub-clause (d) of Clause 2 of the said Guidelines has to be given to him, which provides that, while measuring height, fraction of centimeter less than 0.5 will be ignored, and 0.5 cm will be rounded off to the next higher centimeter. Thus, the petitioner's contention is that his height ought to have been rounded off to 170 cms, and thus, it is submitted that the petitioner was eligible to participate in the further recruitment process.
7. Counsel for the appellant argued that the learned Single Judge has erred while allowing the writ petition and directing the appellants to consider the height of the petitioner 169.6 cm to be 170 CMs and allow him to take further test in accordance with the scheme of examination. As per Para 12.10 of the advertisement dated 04.03.2024, the minimum required height of the male candidates applying for the post of Sub Inspectorin Delhi Police and CAPFs is prescribed as 170 Cms and there is no provision for relaxation in Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 4 WA-2932-2025 the physical standard in height and chest (as the case may be) to the candidates other than the special category vis-a-vis the candidates belonging to Hill areas, North-Eastern states and Sikkim as well as the candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes. Since, the writ petitioner had qualified all the required tests of Physical Endurance Test, he was further directed to undergo Physical Standard Test (PST) as prescribed in the advertisement notice dated 04/03/2024. Accordingly, the writ petitioner underwent Physical Standard Test conducted by the Board of Officers of the SSB detailed for the purpose and during the process, his height was measured as 169.6 Cms, which is less than the prescribed minimum height of 170 Cms as prescribed in the advertisement notice as mentioned above. Consequently, the writ petitioner was declared 'disqualified' in the Physical Standard Test (PST) due to, less height as per prescribed physical standard on 21.10.2024. The Para 12.10.7 of the advertisement dated 04.03.2024 has clarified that "Those candidates who are declared not qualified in Physical Standards i.e height and chest may prefer an appeal, if they so desire to the appellate authority present on the PST/PET ground. The decision of the appellate authority will be final and no further appeal or representation in this regard will be entertained". The writ petitioner preferred an appeal on dated 21.10.2024 against his disqualification before the appellate authority present during PST and the appellate authority also measured and found his height to be 169.6 cms. Being aggrieved, writ petitioner filed WP No. 34269/2024 stating therein that the respondents have erroneously recorded petitioner's height in the result dated 21.10.2024 as 169.6 Cms, the respondents have failed to rectify the Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 5 WA-2932-2025 mistake. Petitioner further prayed to allow the petitioner to appear for the selection process in terms of the height fraction regulations as envisaged in the Uniform Guidelines for Medical Examination Test for recruitment in CAPFs, NSG and AR issued by GOI, MHA on 20.05.2015. As per para/point 2(d) of Uniform Guidelines for Medical Examination Test for recruitment in CAPFs, NSG and AR issued by GOI, MHA dated 20/05/2015, the provision of rounding off of the fraction of height is applicable in Detailed Medical Examination (DME) stage for taking into account/measuring the weight of the candidates and not for the rounding off the fraction of height at PST stage. FHQ (Pers Dte - Rectt Section) New Delhi vide their signal No.R/236 dated 10.12.2024 has clarified that writ petitioner has not qualified PST due to not having minimum height(i.e 170 cms), in the light of the para-No. 12.10.1 of notification dated, 04.03.2024 of SI in DP & CAPFs exam 2024 issued by SSC. Moreover, PST is conducted by Executive Board having GD personnel. Recruiting Medical Officer is a member of Detailed Medical Examination. Recruiting Medical Officer as per practice do not record the physical measurement whereas he only mentions physical standards in the medical examination form as recorded by PST board. There is no provision to round off 0.5 CM height of a candidate to next higher cm in PST/PET stage. It is only applicable to calculate BMI for overweight candidate who has qualified PST/PET stage, which is a part of Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and carried out only by Medical Officer whereas PST/PET board does not have provision of medical officer.
8. Counsel for the appellant assiduously argued that learned single Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 6 WA-2932-2025 Judge erred while holding that clause 2 (d) would be applicable at initial stage of PST and not at the subsequent stage like Detailed Medical Examination (DME).
9. Learned counsel for the respondent/Writ Petitioner supported the impugned order and contended that the learned single Judge has rightly held that the clause 2(d) shall be applicable at the initial stage of PST and not at subsequent stage of DME. He argued that the similar view has been taken by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana in the case of Kuldeep Vs. Union of India and Others, reported as 2019 SCC OnLine P&H 7540 , as also the decision rendered by the Calcutta High Court in the case of Mr. Pronab Halder & Anr. Vs. Union of India& Ors. , passed in WPA No.26627/2020 dated 04.12.2024., wherein after considering clause 2 (d), it was held that the same shall be applicable at the stage of PST.
10. We have heard learned counsel for the parties at length and the question which crops up for consideration is that whether a candidate whose height is measured as 169.6 cm can be treated as 170 cm meeting the minimum prescribed height after applying rounding of provision contained in clause 2 (d) of the MHA guidelines dated 20/5/2015 despite the recruitment notification expressly prescribing 170 cm ?
11. In order to appreciate the above issue, it is apt to quote the relevant clause of the scheme of examination, 2015 and clause 2 (d) of Uniform Guidelines for Medical Examination Test for Recruitment in CAPFs, NSG & AR. The relevant parts of clause 12 are reproduced as under:-
12. Scheme of Examination:
12.1 The examination will consist of Paper-I, Physical Standard Test(PST)/Physical Endurance Test (PET), Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 7 WA-2932-2025 Paper-ll and Detailed MedicalExamination (DME). All these stages of the examination are mandatory.Details of these Papers/ Tests are as follows:
Paper - I:
Number of Maximum Time Part Subject Questions Marks Duration General Intelligence and I 50 50 Reasoning General Knowledge and II 50 50 2 hours General Awareness III Quantitative Aptitude 50 50 IV English Comprehension 50 50 Paper - II:
Number of Maximum Time
Subject
Questions Marks Duration
English language &
200 200 2 hours
Comprehension
12.2 Questions in both papers will be of Objective Multiple Choice Type. Questions will be set in Hindi and English in Parts-I, II and III of Paper-l. There will be negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Paper-I & Paper-II. Candidates are, therefore, advised to keep this in mind while answering the questions.
12.3 Marks scored by candidates in Computer Based Examination will be normalized by using the formula published by the Commission through Notice No.1-
1/2018-P&P-I dated 07-02-2019 and such normalized scores will be used to determine final merit and cut off marks.
12.4 Tentative Answer Keys will be placed on the website of the Commission after the Examination. Candidates may go through the Answer Keys and submit representations, if any, within the time limit given by the Commission through online modality only, on payment of Rs.100/- per question which is non Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 8 WA-2932-2025 refundable. Any representation regarding Answer Keys received through the said modality within the time limit fixed by the Commission at the time of uploading of the Answer Keys will be scrutinized before finalizing the Answer Keys and the decision of the Commission in this regard will be final. No representation regarding Answer Keys shall be entertained later.
12.5 National Cadet Corps (NCC) certificate holders (as on 01.08.2024) will be given bonus marks in Paper-I and Paper-II which will be added to the normalized scores of such candidates as per following scheme :
Type of NCC Bonus Marks in each Paper(Paper-I S.No. Certificate and Paper-II) NCC 'C'
1. 10 marks (5% of the maximum marks) Certificate NCC 'B'
2. 6 marks (3% of the maximum marks) Certificate NCC 'A'
3. 4 marks (2% of the maximum marks) Certificate 12.6 The dates of examinations indicated in the notice are tentative. Any chage in the schedule of examinations will be informed to the candidates only through the website of the Commission.
12.7 There shall be no provision for re-evaluation/re-
checking of the scores. No correspondence in this regard shall be entertained.
12.8 In case of any difference/discrepancy/dispute in the Questions between English and Hindi, the content of English version shall prevail.
12.9 Indicative syllabus for Computer Based Examination:
12.9.1 Paper-I:
12.9.1.1 General Intelligence and Reasoning:
It would include questions of both verbal and non-verbal type. This component may include questions on analogies, similarities and differences, space visualization, spatial orientation, problem solving, analysis, Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 9 WA-2932-2025 judgment, decision making, visual memory, discrimination, observation, relationship concepts, arithmetical reasoning and figural classification, arithmetic number series, non-
verbal series, coding and decoding, statement conclusion, syllogistic reasoning etc. The topics are Semantic Analogy, Symbolic/Number Analogy, Figural Analogy, Semantic Classification, Symbolic/Number Classification, Figural Classification, Semantic Series, Number Series, Figural Series, Problem Solving, Word Building, Coding & de-coding, Numerical Operations, symbolic Operations,Trends, Space Orientation, Space Visualization, Venn Diagrams, Drawing inferences, Punched hole/pattern-folding & un-folding, Figural Pattern- folding and completion,Indexing, Address matching, Date & city matchingClassification of centre codes/ roll numbers, Small & Capitalletters/. numbers coding, decoding and classification, Embedded Figures, Critical thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Social Intelligence, etc. 12.9.1.2 General Knowledge and General Awareness: Questions in this component will be aimed at testing the candidates' general awareness of the environment around him and its application to society. Questions will also be designed to test knowledge of current events and of such matters of every day observations and experience in their scientific aspect as may be expected of any educated person. The test will also include questions relating to India and its neighboring countries especially pertaining to History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Polity, Indian Constitution, Scientific Research, etc. 12.9.1.3 Quantitative Aptitude: The questions will be designed to test the ability of appropriate use of numbers and number sense Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 10 WA-2932-2025 ofthe candidate. The scope of the test will be computation ofwhole numbers, decimals, fractions and relationships betweennumbers, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Square roots, Averages, Interest, Profit & Loss, Discount, PartnershipBusiness, Mixture and Alligation, Time and distance, Time &work, Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra andElementary surds, Graphs of Linear Equations, Triangle andits various kinds of centres, Congruence and similarity oftriangles, Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended bychords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles,Triangle, Quadrilaterals, Regular Polygons, Circle, Right Prism,Right Circular Cone, Right Circular Cylinder, Sphere, Hemispheres, Rectangular Parallelepiped, Regular RightPyramid with triangular or square base, Trigonometric ratio, Degree and Radian Measures, Standard Identities, Complementary angles, Heights and Distances, Histogram, Frequency polygon, Bar diagram & Pie chart.
1 2 . 9 . 1 . 4 English Comprehension : Candidates ability to understand correct English, his/ her basic comprehension and writing ability, etc. would be tested.
12.9.2 Paper - II:
1 2 . 9 . 2 . 1 English Language and Comprehension: Questions in these components will be designed to test the candidate'sunderstanding and knowledge of English Language and will be based on error recognition, filling in the blanks (using verbs, preposition, articles, etc.), Vocabulary, Spellings, Grammar, Sentence Structure, Synonyms, Antonyms, Sentence Completion, Phrases and Idiomatic use of words, comprehension, etc. Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 11 WA-2932-2025 1 2 . 1 0 Physical Standard Test (PST) and Physical Endurance Test (PET):
12.10.1 Physical Standard Test (for all posts):
Height(in Chest(in cm) S.No. Category of Candidates cm) Unexpanded Expanded Male candidates except (i) those listed at S.No.(ii) 170 80 85 and (iii) Candidates belonging to Hill areas of Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh, (ii) Gorkhas, Dogras, 165 80 85 Marathas, Kashmir Valley, Leh & Ladakh regions, North-Eastern States and Sikkim All candidates (iii) belonging to scheduled 162.5 77 82 Tribes Female candidates
(iv) except those listed at 157 - -
S.No.(v) and (vi) Female candidates belonging to Hill areas of Garhwal, Kumaon, Himachal Pradesh,
(v) Gorkhas, Dogras, 155 - -
Marathas, Kashmir
Valley, Leh & Ladakh
regions, North-Eastern
States and Sikkim
All female candidates
(vi) belonging to Scheduled 154 - -
Tribes
12.10.2 Weight : Corresponding to height (for all posts) 12.10.3 Physical Endurance Test (PET) (for all posts):
Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 12 WA-2932-2025 12.10.3.1 For male candidates:
12.10.3.1.1 100 Metre race in 16 seconds 12.10.3.1.2 1.6 Kms race in 6.5 minutes 12.10.3.1.3 Long jump:3.65 metre in 3 chances 12.10.3.1.4 High Jump : 1.2 metre in 3 chances 12.10.3.1.5 Shot put(16 Lbs) : 4.5 metre in 3 chances.
12.10.3.2 For female candidates:
12.10.3.2.1 100 metre race in 18 seconds 12.10.3.2.2 800 metre race in 4 00 metre race in 4 minutes 12.10.3.2.3 Long Jump: 2.7 metre in 3 chances 12.10.3.2.4 High Jump: 0.9 metre in 3 chances.
12.10.4 There shall be no minimum requirement of chest measurement for female candidates.
12.10.5 Relaxation in height and chest (as the case may be) as mentioned above will be permissible only on production of certificate in the Performa as prescribed in Annexure-VIII from the competent authorities of the District where they ordinarily reside(s).
12.10.6 The relaxation in physical standards (height/chest) once granted at the time of initial appointment in Delhi Police will hold good till the Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 13 WA-2932-2025 individual concerned remains in Delhi Police.
12.10.7 Those candidates who are declared not qualified in Physical Standards,i.e., height and chest may prefer an appeal, if they so desire, to the appellate authority present on the PST/PET ground. The decision of the appellate authority will be final and no further appeal or representation in this regard will be entertained.
12.10.8 PST/PET will not carry any marks but will be of qualifying/elimination nature.
12.10.9 Ex-Servicemen applying for the posts are not required to undergo PET. However, all Ex-Servicemen are required to pass the written tests and fulfill the physical standards prescribed herein. They should also pass the medical standards prescribed for direct recruits.
12.10.10 On reporting of female candidates for PST(Physical Standard Test/PET(Physical Endurance Test), a self-declaration indicating about her pregnancy status shall be submitted. In case she declares that she is not pregnant then she may be allowed to participate in the PST/PET. In case of false declaration, all the risk of undergoing PST/PET will be of her own. If the female candidate declares that she is pregnant before PST/PET, then a confirmatory pregnancy test to be done and in case she is found to be pregnant, irrespective of duration of pregnancy, she may be declared temporarily unfit and her appointment shall be held in abeyance until the confinement is over. The vacancy against which the woman candidate was selected would be kept reserved for her. She would be re-examined for PST/PET six weeks after the date of confinement, subject to production of medical certificate of fitness from a registered medical practitioner. If she is found fit in PST/PET & DME, she may be appointed to the post kept reserved for her and allowed the benefit of seniority in accordance with the instructions of the Government as amended from time to time. In case a female candidate is found negative for pregnancy, she may be allowed to participate in PST/PET.
12.11 Medical standard (For all posts):
Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 14 WA-2932-2025 1 2 . 11 . 1 Medical Examination: All the candidates who qualify in Paper-I will be medically examined by the Medical Officer of the CAPFs or any other Medical Officer or Assistant Surgeon belonging to Grade-I of any Central/ State Govt. Hospital or Dispensary. Review Medical Examination(RME) of the candidates, who are found to be unfit during Detailed Medical Examination(DME), will be conducted in continuation of DME preferably on the next day of DME. Decision of Re-Medical Board/Review Medical Board will be final and noappeal/representation against the decision of the Re-Medical Board/Review Medical Board will be entertained.
12.11.2 Eye sight: The minimum near vision should be N6 (better eye) and N9 (worse eye). The minimum distant vision should be 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye) of both eyes without any correction like wearing glasses or surgery of any kind to improve visual acuity. In right handed person, the right eye is better eye and vice versa.
12.11.3 The candidate must not have knock knee, flat foot, varicose vein or squint in eyes and they should possess high colour vision.
12.11.4 They must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect likely to interfere with the efficient performance of the duties.
12.12 Finally selected candidates for the posts of Sub- Inspector would, as part of training curriculum, have to pass seven obstacle events as mentioned below, failing which they may not be retained in the Force:
12.12.1 Jumping over the Vertical Board.
12.12.2 Holding the rope on jumping from Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 15 WA-2932-2025 the Board.
12.12.3 Tarzan Swing.
12.12.4 Jumping on the Horizontal Board.
12.12.5 Parallel Rope.
12.12.6 Monkey Crawl.
12.12.7 Vertical Rope.
12.13 Tattoo: Tattoos will be allowed as per following stipulations only:
12.3.1 Content: Tattoo depicting religious symbol or figures and the name, as followed in Indian Arms are permitted.
1 2 . 3 . 2 Location: Tattoos marked on traditional sites of the body like inner aspect of forearm but only left forearm, being non saluting limb or dorsum of the hands shall be allowed.
12.13.3 Size: Size must be less than 1/4 of the particular part (Elbow or Hand) of the body.
12. Clause 2 (d) of "Uniform Guidelines for Medical Examination Test for Recruitment in CAPFs, NSG & AR" is reproduced as under :-
d) Measurement of physical standards viz. height, weight and chest is the responsibility of the Physical standard Test Board (PST Board) or all categories of candidates i.e GOs, SOs and Ors. Medical Officers will not be part of PST board both for Male & Female candidates. Since presence of a female is required at the time of recording of physical standard (PST), a female non medical staff may be associated with PST board.
Recruiting medical officer need not record to physical measurements. Recruiting medical officer will mention physical standard in the medical examination form as recorded by the PST board. In borderline cases of Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 16 WA-2932-2025 overweight, BMI should also be considered to arrive at conclusion and variation of 5Kg +/- from the minimum/maximum limit may be accepted. Similarly while measuring height fraction of cm less that 0.5 will be ignored and 0.5 cm & more will be rounded off to the next higher cm. Standard height- weight. chart is attached at ANNEXURE- I.
13. As per the advertisement and the scheme of examination, the recruitment test is comprising of Physical Standard Test (PST), Physical Endurance Test (PET), documentation and thereafter medical examination. As per clause 12.10 of the advertisement, the minimum required height of male candidates applying for the post of sub-Inspector in Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces Examination is prescribed as 170 cms. There is no provision for relaxation in respect of the minimum physical standard for height and chest (as the case may be) to the candidates other then the special categories vis-a-vis the candidates belonging to hilly areas, North Eastern States and Sikkim as well as candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribe. The scheme itself is unequivocally clear that no relaxation is prescribed in minimum prescribed height and chest. The scheme further shows that to qualify to appear in the second paper one has to undergo PST. Thereafter, one has to appear in paper 2 and after suceeding in paper 2, candidate will face detailed medical examination (DME). From clause 2(d) of the Uniform Guidelines for Medical examination test for recruitment in CAPF, NSG and AR it is axiomatic that measurement of physical standard i.e height, weight test is the responsibility of Physical Standard Test Board. In Detailed Medical Examination, it is required that recruiting medical officer will mention physical standard in the medical examination as recorded by the Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 17 WA-2932-2025 PST board. In borderline cases of overweight, BMI should be considered to arrive at conclusion and variation of 5kg +/- from the minimum/maximum limit may be accepted. Similarly, while measuring height fraction of cm less than 0.5 will be ignored and 0.5 cm & more will be rounded off to the next higher cm.
14. The aforesaid clause 2(d) is clear as "noon day" that the relaxation which is required has to be considered at the stage of Detailed Medical Examination (DME). There is no concession or relaxation in respect of the physical standards viz height, weight and chest which is fixed at the time of physical standard Test (PST). The language is plain and clear that at the time of Detailed Medical Examination in borderline cases of overweight, BMI should also be considered before arriving at a conclusion and variation of 5Kg +/- from the minimum/maximum limit may be accepted. Similarly, while measuring height fraction of cm less than 0.5 will ignored and 0.5 cm and more will be rounded off to the next higher cm standard height and weight. Thus, a person having less than prescribed 170 cm of height can never be cleared by physical standard test board. There cannot be relaxation at that time. Only at the stage of DME and at the time of BMI, there may be variation of 5kg +/- from the minimum/maximum limit and similarly if there is a fraction of cm less than 0.5 or 0.5 more than the same can be rounded of to the next higher cm standard height/weight. The same can be very well understood by demonstration that if a person is having 171 cm(more than standard height 170 cm) qualifies PST but at the time of BMI there is variation of either in the weight(+/- 5 kg) or in the height (+/- 0.5 cm), the Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 18 WA-2932-2025 same has to be rounded off because when the process of BMI is conducted, there may be varience in respect of weight and height.
15. BMI stands for body mass index and is determined using the ratio of height compared to weight. Depending on your BMI, you can be categorized on a predetermined scale that ranges from underweight to obese. BMI is often used by medical professionals to determine, whether or not a person is at a "normal" weight.
Body Mass Index (BMI), previously known as the Quetelet index, is a simple way to check if an adult has a healthy weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m³). To find BMI, take a person's weight (kg) and divide it by their height (m) squared.
16. Thus, on careful scrutiny of the scheme and the examination and its various stages as mentioned in the preceding paragraph of para 12, we hold that the clause 2(d) shall not apply at the stage of physical standard test (PST) and the same would apply at the stage of Detailed Medical Examination (DME). The recruiting agency had already prescribed different height and weight criteria for the candidates belonging to different geographical areas but there was no intention to provide any relaxation in minimum physical standard prescribed in physical standard test (PST). Accordingly, the question is answered that a candidate whose height is measured as 169.6 cm cannot be treated as 170 cm by relaxing the minimum prescribed height by applying provision of "rounding off" for the reason that in a recruitment like the Armed Forces or Paramilitary forces there cannot be Signature Not Verified Signed by: PRAMOD KUSHWAHA Signing time: 26-11-2025 13:09:44 NEUTRAL CITATION NO. 2025:MPHC-IND:33790 19 WA-2932-2025 any relaxation to the minimum physical standard. The object of relaxation contained in clause 2 (d) is for the purpose of DME stage and not when BMI of a candidate is taken.
17. The judgments relied by the respondent/writ petitioner passed in the case of Kuldeep (supra) and Mr.Pronab Halder (supra) or the judgments passed by the different High Courts are not binding on this Court. Even otherwise, in the aforesaid cases, the entire scheme of examination contained in clause 12 has not been considered and the clause 2 (d) has not been properly interpreted. In (2024) 4 SCC 336 (Telangana Residential Educational Institutions Recruitment Board -Vs. Saluvadi Sumalatha & Anr.) the Apex Court held that the Court should be cautious in dealing with recruitment process adopted by the recruitment agency since the same is a product of a lot of thought process by which the parameters are arrived at. The petititioner cannot be allowed the relaxation as the same is likely to open a flood gate and the entire selection mechanism based on parameters set by expert bodies will become inconsequential.
18. In the light of the above discussion, the Writ Appeal is allowed. The order passed by the learned Single Judge is set aside and the writ petition is dismissed.
No order as to costs.
(VIJAY KUMAR SHUKLA) (BINOD KUMAR DWIVEDI)
JUDGE JUDGE
PK
Signature Not Verified
Signed by: PRAMOD
KUSHWAHA
Signing time: 26-11-2025
13:09:44