Central Administrative Tribunal - Delhi
Sh Ankit Mishra vs Staff Selection Commission (Ssc) on 16 January, 2026
1
Item No. 1 (C
(C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026
CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL
PRINCIPAL BENCH: NEW DELHI
O.A. No. 117/2026
This the 16th day of January, 2026
Hon'ble Mr. Manish Garg, Member (J)
Hon'ble Dr. Anand S. Khati, Member (A)
Sh. Ankit Mishra,
S/o Sh. Surender Mishra,
R/o Plot No. 140, UG Floor, R Block, Mohan Garden,
Near Manhas Welding Works and Sunder Dairy,
New Delhi - 110059.
...Applicant
(By Advocate: Mr. Saurabh Kumar)
Kumar
Versus
1. Staff Selection Commission,
Through its Chairman,
Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi - 110003.
2. The Regional Director,
Staff Selection Commission (Northern Region),
Block No. 12, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road,
New Delhi - 110003.
...Respondents
(By Advocate: Mr. Bijendra Singh Sharma)
Sharma
2026.01.16
SNEHA MEENA
15:40:53+05'30'
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Item No. 1 (C
(C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026
ORDER (Oral)
Hon'ble Mr. Manish Garg, Member (J) :
The present matter is taken up for final disposal as both the parties are ready with their arguments.
2. In the present O.A., the applicant seeks the following reliefs:
"i.
i. Issue appropriate directions to the respondents to forthwith devise a suitable mechanism mechanism and/or operationalize the online portal so as to enable the applicant to duly submit his application form for the post of Head Constable (AWO/TPO) in the Delhi Police;
ii. Direct the respondents to permit the applicant to participate in the forthcoming forthcoming recruitment examination for the post of Head Constable (AWO/TPO) scheduled between 15.01.2026 and 22.01.2026, by accommodating him within the slot selection process which remains open until 15.01.2026;
111. Declare that the applicant cannot be denied participation in the recruitment process on account of technical glitches, including "face mismatch/capture error," which are attributable solely to the respondents' portal and not to the applicant;
Pass such other and further orders as this Hon'bl Hon'ble Tribunal may deem fit and proper."
proper.
3. Brief facts of the case as narrated by learned counsel for the applicant are as under:
under:-
3.1 The applicant applied for recruitment to the post of Head Constable (AWO/TPO) in Delhi Police pursuant to the notificatio notification dated 24.09.2025 issued by the Staff Selection Commission.
2026.01.16 SNEHA MEENA 15:40:53+05'30' 3 Item No. 1 (C (C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026 3.2 Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant, being fully eligible in terms of age, educational qualification, and professional attainments, attempted to submit the applicatio application online 24.09.2025 to 15.10.2025).
within the prescribed period ((24.09.2025 15.10.2025). However, due to repeated technical glitches on the SSC portal, specifically a "face mismatch/capture error,", he was unable to upload his photograph and signature the applicant could not complete the submission process. The applicant immediately reported the issue to the SSC helpdesk on 15.10.2025, 15.10.2025 and followed it up with formal representations dated 30.10.2025, 30.10.2025 09.12.2025, and 17.12.2025 17.12.2025.
Despite these efforts, no effective redressal was provided. 3.3 Learned counsel further submits that the applicant had previously applied for other SSC examinations, examinations, including CGL and CHSL 2025, using the same devices and successfully completed the online application process, demonstrating that the technical failure was not attributable to the applicant but to deficiencies in the respondents' portal. The applicant emphasizes that the slot selection process remains open until 15.01.2026, 15.01.2026, and the examination is scheduled between 15.01.2026 and 22.01.2026, 22.01.2026, providing an opportunity for the applicant to participate without affecting the recruitment process. The arbitrary denial of opportunity amounts to violation of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.
4. Opposing the grant of relief, learned counsel for the respondents submits that sufficient time was granted to the applicant to upload the photograph and signature signature on the portal in accordance 2026.01.16 SNEHA MEENA 15:40:53+05'30' 4 Item No. 1 (C (C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026 with the prescribed procedure. He relies upon Writ Petition (Civil) No. 234 of 2018, Shantanu Kumar & Others v. Union of India & Others,, particularly paragraph 3, which reads as under:-
"3. As far as the first aspect is concerned, concerned, we find that paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report indicate that the Committee has categorically stated that "it is not possible to record a conclusive finding that 2 the entire examination process of Second stage of Combined Graduate Level Examination, on, 2017 (CGLE) conducted by the Stage Selection Commission through SIFY was tainted by large scale leakage or other malpractices/ unfair means" and further again "the Committee is also of the view that in the absence of any concrete material to show that the examination is vitiated due to leakage of paper or other malpractices or unfair means, there is no valid ground or justification to scrap the entire examination."
4.1 Learned counsel for the respondents emphasizes that linking Aadhaar--based authentication tion is intended to ensure a fair selection process, eliminate malpractices, and prevent impersonation. Learned counsel further submits that a window for correction in the online application was also provided, but the applicant failed to take necessary ste steps ps within the stipulated time. Since the applicant could not be verified by UIDAI Aadhaar,, the application was automatically rejected, a process beyond the respondents' control. Even supporting documents could not be uploaded due to the technical failure. 4.2 Learned counsel for the respondents further relies upon the Aadhaar Policy for Candidates issued by the SSC, SSC the relevant para of which reads as under:
under:-
"SSC shall offer Aadhaar authentication as an optional facility at key stages of the recruitment process. These include: Aadhaar OTP-based based authentication at the time of One Time Registration (OTR); Aadhaar Face Authentication at the stage of submitting applications;
lications; Aadhaar fingerprint or iris iris-based biometric authentication at the time of appearing in 2026.01.16 SNEHA MEENA 15:40:53+05'30' 5 Item No. 1 (C (C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026 examination; Aadhaar authentication during Physical Efficiency/Standard Tests or Medical Examinations; and again at the stage of Document Verification and final final Joining.
**** Candidates who choose not to provide Aadhaar must instead upload supporting documents for each of the following details: Name, Father's Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Address, and Photograph. Documents accepted for this purpose include PAN Card, ard, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, Birth Certificate, School Certificates, Utility Bills, Bank Passbook, Rent Agreement, and a recent passport-sized passport sized photograph. These documents must be clear, up-to-date, up date, and verifiable."
4.3 In support of his submis submissions, sions, learned counsel further relies upon the following judgments passed by this Tribunal:-
Tribunal:
(i) O.A. No. 3509/2022 dated 02.11.2023, 02.11.2023, the relevant portion of the same reads as under:
under:-
"6. There is no doubt that the photograph affixed is not in accordance with the instructions on the subject. The rules and instructions specify that the photograph has to be without spectacles but the applicants herein have all affixed photographs with spectacles which is undisputedly in contravention to the instructions to this this effect. Further, there is no ambiguity in the instructions issued by the Staff Selection Commission as to the precautions to be taken while filling up the application form. No doubt, the applicants have been negligent in filling up the forms despite very very clear and detailed instructions on each and every aspect.
7. Moreover, it is seen that the applicants had an opportunity to rectify their mistake for which a window of three days had been provided. However, for reasons best known to them they did not utilize tilize this opportunity. If we show any indulgence to the applicants herein and choose to overlook this mistake considering it to be a minor one we would be compromising the integrity of the selection process.
8. Against the background of what has been stated stated and discussed above and keeping in view the order of Srinagar Bench of the Tribunal reproduced above, there is absolutely no doubt or cause before us to reopen this issue and hold a divergent view."
(ii) O.A. No. 1984/2023 dated 13.07.2023, 13.07.2023 the relevant para of the same reads as under:
under:-
"16. In the conspectus of the position brought out above, we find that there is no justification for this Tribunal to accept the 2026.01.16 SNEHA MEENA 15:40:53+05'30' 6 Item No. 1 (C (C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026 prayer of the applicant for grant of interim relief. The same is hereby rejected."
5. In rejoinder, learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant had communicated the technical issue through email dated 15.10.2025 and subsequent representations dated 30.10.2025 and 17.12.2025 17.12.2025,, and had previously applied successfully using the SSC portal with no difficulty in Aadhaar authentication. Therefore, the present issue arises solely due to portal malfunction beyond the applicant's control. In support of his contention, learned counsel for the applicant places on record the e-Admission e ion Certificate of Combined Graduate Level Examination, 2025 (CBE) Tier -I and Combined Higher Secondary (10+2) Level Examination, 2025 (CBE) Tier - I conducted by SSC.
6. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record. It is not in dispute that the respondents were not at fault and that the applicant could have availed the two options provided to him, which, however, he did not do. The reasons for the same are best known to the applicant. It is also not in dispute that the applicant took remedial measures by sending email and representations seeking redressal of his grievance, but the same were not addressed by the respondents in a timely or effective manner. 6.1 We also observe that the application was not filled due to repeated tech technical nical glitches on the SSC portal, specifically a "face mismatch/capture error," which is required to be done by UIDAI 2026.01.16 SNEHA MEENA 15:40:53+05'30' 7 Item No. 1 (C (C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026 (Aadhaar). This was not completed, for reasons unknown, and a third party was involved.
6.2 It is noted that the applicant himself is present in the Court. We further observe that the applicant has stated that he is not at fault and has made efforts until the last moment to submit the application. He does not know how this circumstance arose, as it involved a third party and the authorized authorized procedure was not secure. No fault can be attributed to the SSC for not accepting the application. It is also noted that the applicant has previously filled applications for various examinations from the same portal and has not faced any difficulty. Therefore,, the balance is also in favor of the applicant.
7. Accordingly Accordingly,, we dispose of the present application and direct that the applicant may submit the application in physical mode, if not already submitted, today itself.. In accordance with the case of the applicant, it shall be processed, and the applicant shall be allowed to provisionally participate in the selection process.
8. We make it clear that the present matter shall not be treated as a binding precedent.
9. The he order has been passed in the presence presence of the respective parties. Learned counsel shall also intimate the respondents, including the competent authority among the respondents, that the applicant shall be allowed to participate in the selection process and that all formalities shall be co completed.
mpleted.
2026.01.16 SNEHA MEENA 15:40:53+05'30' 8 Item No. 1 (C (C-4) O.A. No. 117/2026
10. The selection, if the applicant is found meritorious and otherwise eligible, shall be exercised by the respondents at a later stage, if applicable.
11. The OA is disposed of in the aforesaid terms. No order as to costs.
(Anand S. Khati) (Manish Garg)
Member (A) Member (J)
/as/
2026.01.16
SNEHA MEENA
15:40:53+05'30'