Central Administrative Tribunal - Delhi
Ankit Dhama vs Delhi Police on 23 February, 2026
Central Administrative Tribunal
Principal Bench,
New Delhi
O.A. No.1941 of 2025
Orders reserved on :04.02.2026
Orders pronounced on : 23.02.2026
Hon'ble Mr. Manish Garg, Member (J)
Hon'ble Mr. Rajinder Kashyap, Member (A)
Ankit Dhama
Seeking Recruitment as Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police
Roll NO.3016006479
Aged about 41 years,
S/o Sh. Pitam Singh
R/o Near Gyandeep Public School,
Vill: Mavikalan, Tehsil : Kherkra,
PO/Distt: Bhagpat, UP-250609.
...Applicant
(By Advocate: Shri Anil Singal)
VERSUS
1. Delhi Police
Through Commissioner of Police,
New Police Headquarters,
Jai Singh Road, New Delhi - 110001
2. DCP (Recruitment Cell),
NPS, Kingsway Camp,
New Delhi - 110009
3. SSC, Chairman,
CGO Complex,
Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003
4. Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
South Block, New Delhi-110001
5. Secretary, DOPT
North Block,
New Delhi-110001
....Respondents
(By Advocate: Shri S.N. Verma)
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 2 OA No.1941/2025
ORDER
Hon'ble Mr. RajinderKashyap, Member (A):
By filing the present OA under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, the applicant is seeking the following reliefs:-
"1. To quash and set aside the Orders dated 28.1.2025 and 27.3.2025 and direct the respondents to allow the applicant to join the post of Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police with all consequential benefits.
2. To award costs in favor of the applicant and pass any order or orders, which this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem just & equitable in the facts & circumstances of the case."
FACTS OF THE CASE
2. Facts, as stated by the applicant, are as under:-
2.1 The applicant joined the office of the respondent No.4 i.e. Indian Army on 13.10.2003. The respondent No.3 issued Recruitment Advertisement-2023 for recruitment to the post of Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police. The advertisement provided that the employees of defence services who are to retire within one year of the last date to apply, can also apply under the Commando Ex-Servicemen Category. 2.2 The applicant submitted application through proper channel with the assurance that he will be relieved of his duties by September 2024 i.e. within one year of the last date to apply in case he is selected for the post of Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police. 2.3 The applicant was issued Offer of appointment dt.1.2.2024 on having selected for the post (Annexure A-3). 2.4 The applicant called upon to report at Recruitment Cell, NPL from 21.10.2024 to 29.10.2024 for completion of codal formalities and documents verification. However, the applicant could not appear due RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 3 OA No.1941/2025 to implementation of Agniveer Policy and restriction on premature retirement. He could be allowed to retire only on 31.1.2025 (Annexure A-4). Thereafter, the applicant immediately approached the office of Delhi Police on 2.2.2025 where he was informed that his candidature has already been cancelled vide Order dt.28.1.2025 (Annexure A-1) due to non-reporting.
2.5 Being aggrieved by the cancelation of his candidature, the applicant submitted a representation dt.14.2.2025 along with Two Letters dated 8.2.2025 issued by the office of the respondent No.4 against the Order dt.28.1.2025 and seeking for appointment as Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police [Annexure A-5 (Colly.)]. 2.6 However, vide Order dt.27.3.2025 (Annexure A-2), the applicant's aforesaid representation was rejected by the Delhi Police.
Hence, this OA.
3. Pursuant to notice issued by this Tribunal, the respondents have filed their reply opposing the claim of the applicant. Applicant has also filed his rejoinder refuting the contents of the reply filed by the respondents.
CONTENTIONS OF THE APPLICANT
4. Learned counsel for the applicant argued that the applicant had submitted his application through proper channel with the assurance that he would be relieved from his duties by September, 2024, i.e., within one year from the last date of application, in case he was selected for the post of Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police. It is further evident from the letters dated 08.02.2025 issued by respondent No. 4 that his non-relieving from the Army was not attributable to any fault RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 4 OA No.1941/2025 on his part but was solely due to the reasons mentioned therein. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to be permitted to join the post of Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police on the strength of his selection in Recruitment-2023.
4.1 Learned counsel also argued that now the applicant has been retired by the Army also in view of his selection in Delhi Police w.e.f. 31.1.2025 prior to receipt/knowledge of Order dt.28.1.2025 by the applicant. Therefore, this will be greatest injustice to the applicant that he is retired from the Army and is not allowed joining in Delhi Police.
4.2 Learned counsel for the applicant also submitted that number of vacancies of Constable (Exe.) advertised through Recruitment-2023 are still lying vacant.
CONTENTIONS OF THE RESPONDENTS
5. Learned counsel for the respondents by referring to the counter reply filed on behalf of the respondents contended that direct recruitment to the post of Constable (Executive) Male/Female in Delhi Police is governed by Rule 9 of the Delhi Police (Appointment & Recruitment) Rules, 1980, as amended from time to time, and is further regulated by the instructions contained in Standing Order No.HRD/04/2022.
5.1 Learned counsel also submitted that for filling up 7547 (Male- 5056+Female-2491) vacancies for the post of Constable (Exe.) Male/Female in Delhi Police through Staff Selection Commission (in short 'SSC'), a notification was published by RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 5 OA No.1941/2025 the SSC on its official website i.e. www.ssc.nic.in on 01.09.2023 and online applications were invited from the eligible & interested candidates by the SSC throughout the nation. The information about recruitment process for the said post was also uploaded on the official website of Delhi Police (i.e. www.delhipolicerecruitment.nic.in).
5.2 Learned counsel also submitted that in response to the above advertisement, candidate, Ankit Dhama, Roll No. 3016006479 (the applicant herein), S/o Shri Pitam Singh, R/o Village Mavikalan, Near Gyandeep Public School, District Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh-250609 had applied for the post of Constable (Exe.) Male in Delhi Police Exam., 2023 under category UR+ESM. He had appeared in Computer Based Examination, PE&MT and subsequently declared provisionally selected subject to satisfactory verification of character and antecedents, medical fitness and final checking of documents etc. In furtherance of the said recruitment process, the applicant was directed to report for completion of codal formalities from 25.01.2024 to 31.01.2024 at Parade Ground/NPL but he did not report on the given schedule and therefore, he was again directed to report at Recruitment Cell/NPL to complete his document verification through e-mail on 27.06.2024 ([email protected]) but he again did not report. The applicant was again directed to report at Recruitment Cell/NPL from 21.10.2024 to 29.10.2024 by placing a notice on the official website of Delhi Police i.e. RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 6 OA No.1941/2025 www.delhipolice.gov.in on 21.10.2024 for completion of codal formalities and document verification with regard to his joining but he again did not report. Since, the applicant neither report for completion of codal formalities and document verification nor sent any intimation, which shows his lackadaisical approach towards recruitment process. Hence, his candidature for recruitment to the post of Constable (Exe.) in Delhi Police- 2023 was cancelled vide letter dated 28.01.2025 (Annexure R-
2) with immediate effect with a clear mention that no further correspondence in this regard will be entertained, copies of such letters, emails/reminders etc. are at Annexure R-1 (Colly.).
5.3 Learned counsel also submitted that thereafter, the applicant submitted representation to the competent authority mentioning therein that he was due to retire from Indian Army in September, 2024 but due to Agniveer process, his retirement was processed on 31.01.2025. He also mentioned that he is strongly interested to work in Delhi Police. The applicant has also attached copy of certificate dated 08.02.2025 issued by Commanding Officer Col. Pawan Bohra, 16th Battalion Brigade of the Guards PIN-910916 c/o 56 APO to support his claim alongwith copy of D.O. letter bearing NO. 0037/DO/Out/Al dated 08.02.2025 [Annexure R-3 (Colly)] issued by the said officer. The said representation against cancellation of candidature of the applicant for the post of Constable (Exe.) in Delhi Police Examination-2023 was examined at Delhi Police RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 7 OA No.1941/2025 Headquarters but could not be acceded being devoid of merits. The same was issued with the approval of Commissioner of Police, Delhi vide letter dated 27.03.2025 (Annexure-R-4). Aggrieved by the above decision, the applicant has filed the present OA.
5.4 Lastly learned counsel submitted that the recruitment process for the post of Constable (Executive) Male/Female in Delhi Police was conducted strictly in accordance with Rule 9 of the Delhi Police (Appointment & Recruitment) Rules, 1980 and Standing Order No. HRD/04/2022. Despite being afforded repeated and adequate opportunities through scheduled reporting dates, e-mail communications and website notices, the applicant failed to complete codal formalities and document verification or furnish any timely intimation, leading to lawful cancellation of his candidature as per prescribed procedure. His subsequent representation was duly considered at the competent level but found devoid of merit and rejected with due approval. Accordingly, the impugned actions are legal and justified, and the present Original Application, being devoid of merit, deserves dismissal by this Tribunal.
REBUTTAL TO REPLY OF THE RESPONDENTS
6. In rebuttal to the contentions advanced by the respondents, learned counsel for the applicant, while referring to the rejoinder, submitted that the respondents have not specifically denied the fact that the vacancies against which the RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 8 OA No.1941/2025 applicant was selected are still lying vacant. It was further contended that the applicant's inability to report for completion of formalities and commencement of basic training was due to circumstances beyond his control, as duly explained in the Original Application as well as in the communications placed at pages 19 and 20 thereof.
6.1 Learned counsel further argued that the timelines prescribed for joining are not absolute or sacrosanct, placing reliance upon the judgment of the Hon'ble Punjab & Haryana High Court in Dalip Kumar vs. State of Haryana & Ors., reported in 2025 (4) SLR 424 (P&H), as well as the order passed by this Tribunal in OA No. 2472/2024, Seema Choudhary vs. Commissioner of Police & Ors., decided on 07.11.2025. 6.2 On the strength of the aforesaid submissions, learned counsel prayed that since the vacancies for the post in question continue to be available, the impugned orders dated 28.01.2025 and 27.03.2025 be quashed and set aside, and the respondents be directed to permit the applicant to join the post of Constable (Executive) in Delhi Police with all consequential benefits.
ANALYSIS
7. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the pleadings available on record.
8. From the pleadings and rival submissions of the parties, the following issues arise for adjudication in this case:
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 9 OA No.1941/2025
(i) Whether the cancellation of the applicant's candidature vide order dated 28.01.2025 for non-reporting and non- completion of codal formalities is arbitrary, illegal or violative of the recruitment rules and prescribed procedure?
(ii) Whether the applicant's failure to report within the stipulated timelines, allegedly due to non-relieving by the Indian Army, constitutes sufficient justification to direct the respondents to permit joining after completion of the recruitment process?
(iii) Whether the existence of alleged vacant posts creates any enforceable right in favour of the applicant for appointment despite non-compliance with recruitment requirements?
9. Before delving on above issues, we note that it is an admitted fact that the applicant joined the service of respondent No.4, i.e., Indian Army on 13.10.2003 and on the date of issuance of the advertisement for recruitment to the posts of Constable (Ex.) in Delhi Police, i.e., on 1st September, 2023, the applicant was very much in service of respondent no.4, which was the date of official notification for the recruitment to the post of Constable (Exe.) was released and prospective candidates were invited to submit their applications online from 1 st September to 30th September, 2023. 9.1 Although the parties have not placed the said Advertisement on record for reasons best known to them, this Tribunal has taken note of the same as downloaded from the official website of the respondents, being a public document, for the limited purpose of proper adjudication of the present matter. 9.2 The said advertisement announced a total of 7547 vacancies for Constable positions. The distribution of the said vacancies across different categories are as follows:-
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 10 OA No.1941/2025
Posts UR EWS OBC SC ST Total
Constable (Exe.) Male (Open) 2748 488 258 717 242 4453
Constable (Exe.)-Male (Ex-
Servicemen (Others) 153 27 15 48 23 266
(Including backlog SC and ST)
Constable (Exe.)-Male (Ex-
Servicemen [Commando
152 27 14 107 37 337
(Para-3.1)] (Including backlog
SC and ST)
Constable (Exe.) Female 1502 268 142 429 150 2491
Grand total 4555 810 429 1301 452 7547
9.3 The applicant has applied for the said post under unreserved
Male (Ex-Servicemen (Commando) category (Para 3.1). The said para 3.1 of the above Advertisement provides as under:-
"3.1 10% vacancies are reserved for Ex-servicemen in each category of Constable(Exe.) male. Out of the 10% quota meant for Ex- servicemen, half, i.e. 50% of such quota, have been reserved for the following categories of Ex-servicemen:
3.1.1 Having served in the Special Forces/ NSG (Special Action Group)or;
3.1.2 Having received a QI 'Qualified Instructors' grading in the Commando course or;
3.1.3 Officers from the Navy/ Air Force who have worked in the specialized Commando type units.
Note-1: The reservation in respect of Ex-Servicemen is subject to the outcome of SLP (Civil) No. 1980/14-Commissioner of Police, Delhi Vs. Pawan Singh & Ors. & 1985/2014-Commissioner of Police, Delhi Vs Devi Ram &An r& Ors.
Note-2: The personnel of CAPFs are not eligible to apply under Ex-Servicemen category."
9.4 From a plain reading of the said clause 3.1 of the recruitment advertisement provides that 10% of the total vacancies in each category of Constable (Executive) Male are reserved for Ex-servicemen, thereby creating a separate vertical reservation for candidates, who have served in the Armed Forces and satisfy the eligibility conditions. Further, 50% of this 10% Ex-servicemen quota, is earmarked for a special sub-
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 11 OA No.1941/2025
category of highly trained or specialized personnel, namely those who have served in Special Forces/NSG (Special Action Group), those who have obtained a "Qualified Instructor (QI)" grading in a Commando course, and officers from the Navy/Air Force who have served in specialized commando-type units. This indicates a policy intent to prioritize candidates possessing specialized combat and commando training within the broader Ex-servicemen reservation. Note-1 clarifies that the operation of Ex-servicemen reservation is subject to the final outcome of the pending Special Leave Petitions before the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Commissioner of Police, Delhi vs. Pawan Singh & Ors. and Devi Ram & Anr., meaning that appointments or selections under this quota may be provisional and governed by the eventual judicial decision. Note-2 expressly excludes personnel of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) from claiming eligibility under the Ex-servicemen category, thereby restricting the benefit strictly to former members of the regular Armed Forces and not to paramilitary forces. Overall, the clause establishes both the extent of reservation and the internal prioritization mechanism, while also placing candidates on notice regarding legal contingencies and eligibility limitations.
9.5 Para 5.1 of the said Advertisement provides permissible relaxation in upper age limit for different categories, relevant of which is quoted below:-
Code No. Category Age relaxation permissible beyond the upper age limit X X X 26 Ex-Servicemen 03 years after deduction of the military (UR/EWS) rendered from the actual age as on the date of reckoning RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 12 OA No.1941/2025 9.6 The explanation with regard to 'ex-serviceman' is provided in para 5.13 of the said Advertisement, which reads as under:-
"5.13 Explanation: An 'ex-serviceman' means a person:
5.13.1 Who has served in any rank whether as a combatant or non-combatant in the Regular Army, Navy or Air Force of the Indian Union, and
(i) who retired from such service after earning his/ her pension; or
(ii) whose discharge book has the endorsement of Ex-
servicemen; or
(iii) who has been released from such service on medical grounds attributable to military service or circumstances beyond his control and awarded medical or other disability pension; or
(iv) who has been released, otherwise than on his own request, from such service as a result of reduction in establishment; or
(v) who has been released from such service after completing the specific period of engagements, otherwise than at his own request or by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency, and has been given a gratuity;
and includes personnel of the Territorial Army of the following categories, namely:
a. Pension holders for continuous embodied service, b. Persons with disability attributable to military service; and c. Gallantry award winners 5.13.2 The Territorial Army personnel will however be treated as ex-servicemen w.e.f. 15-11-1986."
9.7 Para 14.7 of the said Advertisement provides that in addition to the Admission Certificate, it is mandatory to carry at least two passport size recent colour photographs, Original valid Photo-ID proof having the Date of Birth as printed on the Admission Certificate, such as:
14.7.1 Aadhaar Card/ Printout of E-Aadhaar, 14.7.2 Voter's ID Card, 14.7.3 Driving License, 14.7.4 PAN Card, RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 13 OA No.1941/2025 14.7.5 Passport, 14.7.6 ID Card issued by University/ College/ School, 14.7.7 Employer ID Card (Govt./ PSU), 14.7.8 Ex-serviceman Discharge Book issued by Ministry of Defence.
14.7.9 Any other photo bearing valid ID card issued by the Central/ State Government."
(emphasis supplied) 9.8 Para 5.9 of the said Advertisement provides that :
"The persons serving in the Armed Forces of the Union, who on retirement from service, would come under the category of "ex- serviceman" are permitted to apply for re-employment, one year before the completion of the specified terms of engagement and avail themselves of all concessions available to Ex- Servicemen but shall not be permitted to leave the uniform until they complete the specified term of engagement in the Armed Forces of Union.
9.9 From a plain reading of the above provisions, it is apparently clear that persons, who are currently serving in the Armed Forces and will become ex-servicemen after retirement, are allowed to apply for civilian jobs up to one year before their retirement date. While applying, they can claim all benefits and relaxations meant for ex- servicemen (like age relaxation, reservation, etc.). But they cannot leave the Armed Forces early just because they got selected for another job. They must finish their full service/engagement period before joining the new post. 9.10 It is the case of the applicant that he has applied through proper channel with the assurance that he will be relieved of his duties by September, 2024, i.e., within one year. It is admitted position that applicant was issued Offer of Appointment dated 01.02.2024 (Annexure A-3) wherein besides other conditions, at the end of the said offer letter, it is also provided as under:-
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 14 OA No.1941/2025
"The basic train course for the post will commence on 01.07.2024 at Delhi Police Academy, Jharoda Kalan/East, New Delhi. You are directed to report to Delhi Police Academy, Jharoda Kalan/East, New Delhi on 01.07.2024. In case you fail to report at Delhi Police Academy, Jharoda Kalan, East, New Delhi on 1.07.2024, the offer of appointment and candidature for the post will stand cancelled."
10. It is admitted by the applicant that although he was directed to report for completion of codal formalities from 25.01.2024 to 31.01.2024 at Parade Ground/NPL but he did not report on the given schedule and was against directed to report at Recruitment Cell/NPL to complete his document verification through email on 27.06.2024 at [email protected] but again he did not report. The applicant was again directed to report at Recruitment Cell/NPL from 21.10.2024 to 29.10.2024 by placing a notice on 21.10.2024 on the official website of Delhi Police, i.e. www.delhipolice.gov.in for completion of codal formalities and document verification. Despite the above repeated directions to report, the applicant chose not to send any intimation with regard to any compelling circumstances to the respondents. Hence, his candidature was rejected by the respondents vide Order dated 28.01.2025 [Annexure R-1 (Colly)] and Annexure R-2) respectively. It is also an admitted position emerging from the record that the recruitment to the post of Constable (Executive) in Delhi Police was governed by Rule 9 of the Delhi Police (Appointment & Recruitment) Rules, 1980 and Standing Order No. HRD/04/2022. The recruitment process contemplated completion of codal formalities, document verification and reporting within the prescribed timelines as essential conditions precedent for appointment.
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 15 OA No.1941/2025
11. We further observe that the offer of appointment to the post in question was issued to the applicant on 01.02.2024. However, no material has been placed on record by the applicant to demonstrate what prevented him from approaching the respondents, either directly or through his parent department, to apprise them of his alleged difficulty or inability to comply with the directions repeatedly issued to him for completion of the requisite formalities. It is also noted that the applicant remained silent throughout the relevant period and approached the respondents only after his retirement on 31.01.2025, when he made a representation on 02.02.2025 challenging the cancellation of his candidature. The material placed on record demonstrates that the applicant was afforded multiple opportunities to complete the requisite formalities. Initially, he was directed to report during January, 2024, thereafter through e-mail communication dated 27.06.2024, and subsequently through public notice for reporting between 21.10.2024 to 29.10.2024. Despite these repeated opportunities, the applicant admittedly did not report within the stipulated period nor did he furnish any contemporaneous communication seeking extension from the recruiting authority within the prescribed timeline.
12. Although the applicant has pleaded that the said order of cancellation of his candidature was not received by him, the same cannot be accepted in the absence of any cogent material placed on record to substantiate such plea. Moreover, there is neither any specific challenge to the mode of service nor any contemporaneous RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 16 OA No.1941/2025 representation made by the applicant disputing non-receipt of the said order at the relevant point of time. In these circumstances, the plea of non-receipt appears to be an afterthought and is, therefore, not liable to be accepted. Further, although the applicant has attributed his inability to report to non-relieving from the Army due to administrative reasons, it is settled law that participation in a recruitment process is subject to fulfillment of the prescribed conditions within the stipulated timeframe. The recruitment authority cannot be compelled to keep the selection process open indefinitely or relax essential procedural requirements in the absence of enabling provisions in the recruitment rules.
13. The pleadings further reveal that the applicant submitted his first formal representation only on 14.02.2025, annexing certain communications dated 08.02.2025, wherein he sought to contend that his premature discharge had been processed with effect from September, 2024. Nevertheless, it stands admitted that his discharge could not be effected on account of the implementation of the new Agniveer Policy and the restrictions imposed by the higher authorities on premature retirement. Now we deem it appropriate to observe that in Para 5.9 of the said Advertisement, it has been specifically provided that they cannot leave the Armed Forces early just because they got selected for another job. They must finish their full service/engagement period before joining the new post.
14. The contention regarding subsequent retirement from the Army w.e.f. 31.01.2025 also does not advance the applicant's case, since the RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30' Item No.61/C-4 17 OA No.1941/2025 candidature had already been cancelled on 28.01.2025 due to persistent non-compliance with reporting requirements. Events occurring subsequent to lawful cancellation cannot retrospectively cure procedural lapses committed during the recruitment process.
15. The applicant has also raised a plea that vacancies of the post in question are still available and, therefore, he may be offered appointment against the said post. However, mere availability of vacancies does not confer any indefeasible right to appointment, particularly when the candidature of the applicant has already been cancelled in accordance with the applicable rules and conditions of the recruitment process as also when the candidate has failed to comply with mandatory procedural requirements forming an integral part of the selection process.. In the absence of any legal infirmity in the impugned action, the said plea is devoid of merit and is accordingly rejected.
16. We have perused the judgment in Dalip Kumar vs. State of Haryana & Ors. (supra), as well as of this Tribunal in in Seema Choudhary (supra) and find that the said judgments relied upon by the applicant pertain to circumstances where delay was condoned due to demonstrable timely communication or discretionary relaxation permissible under the governing rules. However, in the present case, the record reflects repeated non-reporting without timely intimation to the recruiting authority and, therefore, the said precedents are distinguishable on facts.
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'
Item No.61/C-4 18 OA No.1941/2025
17. In view of the above position, this Tribunal finds that the respondents acted strictly in accordance with the applicable recruitment rules and established procedure. The cancellation of candidature was a consequence of the applicant's failure to comply with essential requirements of the recruitment process and cannot be termed arbitrary or illegal. Thus, all the above mentioned issues are answered against the applicant.
18. In view of the foregoing discussion and reasons recorded hereinabove, we find no illegality or infirmity in the action of the respondents. The pleas raised by the applicant being devoid of merit are rejected, and consequently, the present OA is liable to be dismissed. We order accordingly.
19. There shall be no order as to costs.
20. Pending MA(s), if any, shall stand disposed of accordingly.
(Rajinder Kashyap) (Manish Garg)
Member (A) Member (J)
/ravi/
RAVI KANOJIA 2026.02.24 16:57:08+05'30'