{"id":365886,"date":"2025-11-06T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=365886"},"modified":"2025-11-07T11:50:44","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T06:20:44","slug":"judicial-review-and-public-recruitment-a-constitutional-perspective-on-the-scope-of-court-interference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/11\/06\/judicial-review-and-public-recruitment-a-constitutional-perspective-on-the-scope-of-court-interference\/","title":{"rendered":"Judicial Review and Public Recruitment: A Constitutional Perspective on the Scope of Court Interference"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Recruitment to public offices in India must reflect the values enshrined in the Constitution, particularly the guarantee of equality under Article 14<a id=\"fnref1\" href=\"#fn1\" title=\"1. Constitution of India, Art. 14.\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a> and equal opportunity in public employment under Article 16<a id=\"fnref2\" href=\"#fn2\" title=\"2. Constitution of India, Art. 16.\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a>,<a id=\"fnref3\" href=\"#fn3\" title=\"3. State of Karnataka v. Umadevi (3), (2006) 4 SCC 1, para 11.\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> to give effect to these rights, a system of open selection and transparent recruitment has been institutionalised. The objective is not only to select meritorious candidates but also to ensure public confidence in the integrity of the selection process.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, challenges arise when courts are invited to exercise judicial review over academic or technical decisions made by expert bodies in such processes. Recent decisions by the Supreme Court in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref4\" href=\"#fn4\" title=\"4. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002672792\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Siddhi Sandeep Ladda<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Consortium of National Law Universities<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref5\" href=\"#fn5\" title=\"5. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144.\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a> have brought these issues into focus.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This article examines the constitutional limits of judicial review in public recruitment, arguing that while courts must intervene to rectify manifest arbitrariness, they must also respect institutional competence. The erosion of this balance risks transforming courts into &#8220;Examination Appellate Tribunals&#8221;, diluting both the integrity of competitive exams and the separation of powers envisioned by the Constitution.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The constitutional conversation on recruitment begins, naturally, with first principles. If courts are to decide when intervention is justified, they must anchor their approach in the text and spirit of the Constitution<a id=\"fnref6\" href=\"#fn6\" title=\"6. Constitution of India.\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Constitutional imperative<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The bedrock of recruitment to public posts is Article 14<a id=\"fnref7\" href=\"#fn7\" title=\"7. Constitution of India, Art. 14.\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a>, which prohibits arbitrary State action, and Article 16(1)<a id=\"fnref8\" href=\"#fn8\" title=\"8. Constitution of India, Art. 16(1).\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a>, which mandates equality of opportunity in public employment. Together, they obligate the State to design recruitment procedures that are fair, objective and free from arbitrariness.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that transparency and equal opportunity are not mere administrative best practices but constitutional necessities.<a id=\"fnref9\" href=\"#fn9\" title=\"9. Renu v. District Judge, Delhi, (2014) 14 SCC 50; State of J&amp;K v. Distt. Bar Assn., (2017) 3 SCC 410.\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a> However, systemic challenges such as nepotism and favouritism continue to erode public faith in the recruitment process. These practices strike at the heart of constitutional morality, which demands governance rooted in integrity, fairness, and adherence to constitutional values rather than personal loyalties or informal networks.<a id=\"fnref10\" href=\"#fn10\" title=\"10. State (NCT of Delhi) v. Union of India, (2018) 8 SCC 501, paras 58-63; Shayara Bano v. Union of India, (2017) 9 SCC 1, para 95 and Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Assn. v. Union of India, (2016) 5 SCC 1, para 1112 (HMJ Chelameswar dissenting).\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Open competitive examinations and merit-based selections are among the key mechanisms through which the principles of constitutional morality and the rule of law are realised. In the mid-1800s, public services were dominated by the patronage or &#8220;spoils&#8221; system, where appointments were often awarded on the basis of political connections.<a id=\"fnref11\" href=\"#fn11\" title=\"11. Finer, The Theory and Practice of Modern Government, Part VI (discussing civil service in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States and contain discussion on all aspects of the civil service in relation to the functions of the State).\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a> The British introduced the concept of open competitive examinations in India through the Charter Act of 1853<a id=\"fnref12\" href=\"#fn12\" title=\"12. Charter Act, 1853.\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a>, followed by Lord Macaulay&#8217;s seminal report in 1854.<a id=\"fnref13\" href=\"#fn13\" title=\"13. Thomas B. Macaulay, Report on the Indian Civil Service (November 1854).\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a> Such examinations reduce discretion, standardise evaluation, and provide a level playing field. While the system has its limitations, it remains the most effective method devised so far for ensuring fairness and merit in public recruitment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The constitutional principles, however, do not implement themselves. They require independent institutions to translate the principles of equality, fairness, and transparency into actual recruitment processes. This is where Public Service Commissions (PSCs) play a pivotal role.<\/p>\n<h2>Role and duty of Public Service Commissions<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Articles <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575132\" target=\"_blank\">315<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575145\" target=\"_blank\">323<\/a><a id=\"fnref14\" href=\"#fn14\" title=\"14. Constitution of India, Arts. 315-323.\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a> provide for the establishment of PSCs for the Union and the States. These bodies are entrusted with the task of conducting examinations and advising on matters related to recruitment, promotions and disciplinary actions. Article 320<a id=\"fnref15\" href=\"#fn15\" title=\"15. Constitution of India, Art. 320.\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a>, in particular, places the responsibility of conducting examinations for appointments in the hands of these Commissions.<\/p>\n<p>The Supreme Court in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013824\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Jatinder Kumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Punjab<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref16\" href=\"#fn16\" title=\"16. (1985) 1 SCC 122, 127.\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a>, held that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">11<\/span>. Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575142\" target=\"_blank\">320<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a> enumerates the duties to be performed by the Union or the State Public Service Commissions:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">i<\/span>) to conduct examinations for appointments to the services of the Union and the services of the State respectively;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ii<\/span>) if requested by any two or more States so to do, to assist those States in framing and operating schemes of joint recruitment for any services for which candidates possessing special qualifications are required;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">iii<\/span>) to advise on matters enumerated under clause (3) of Article 320; and<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">iv<\/span>) to advise on any matters so referred to them and any other matter which the President, or as the case may be, the Governor of the State may refer to them.<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000019472\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">J&amp;K Public Service Commission<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Narinder Mohan<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref17\" href=\"#fn17\" title=\"17. (1994) 2 SCC 630, 638.\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court while dealing with role of PSCs held that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">8<\/span>. &#8230; Whenever the Government is required to make an appointment to a high public office, it is required to consult the PSC. The selection has to be made by the PSC and the Government has to fill up posts by appointing those selected and recommended by the Commission, adhering to the order of merit in the list of candidates sent by the PSC. The selection by the Commission, however, is only a recommendation of the Commission and the final authority for appointment is the Government.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Although the Supreme Court in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000055368\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Manbodhan Lal Srivastava<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref18\" href=\"#fn18\" title=\"18. 1957 SCC OnLine SC 4.\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a> held that consultation with the PSCs is not mandatory and are mere directory in nature, which was reiterated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013824\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Jatinder Kumar case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref19\" href=\"#fn19\" title=\"19. (1985) 1 SCC 122.\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a>, but as constitutional or statutory bodies, PSCs are expected to function independently and with a high degree of institutional expertise. They are not only facilitators of fair recruitment but also constitutional watchdogs that ensure the process remains insulated from political or extraneous interference.<a id=\"fnref20\" href=\"#fn20\" title=\"20. State of U.P. v. Rafiquddin, 1987 Supp SCC 401.\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">It is also pertinent to mention here that not all posts are required to go through the PSC. As per the proviso to Article 320(3) of the Constitution<a id=\"fnref21\" href=\"#fn21\" title=\"21. Constitution of India, Art. 320(3).\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a>, the President\/Governor, as the case may be, may make regulations specifying the matters in which it shall not be necessary for a PSC to be consulted. This exception allows certain posts, especially those involving urgency, temporary appointments, or specific categories, to be validly taken outside the purview of the Commission, provided such exclusion is done in accordance with law and prescribed procedure.<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000041180\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ashok Kumar Shrivastava<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ram Lal<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref22\" href=\"#fn22\" title=\"22. (2008) 3 SCC 148, 165.\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court confirmed that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">77<\/span>. &#8230; the proviso to clause (3) of Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575142\" target=\"_blank\">320<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution<\/a> empowers the Governor of a State to withdraw from the purview of the PSC services and posts in connection with the affairs of a State and to make regulations in support thereof.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, such deviations must not become a tool for bypassing constitutional safeguards or undermining merit-based selection.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The PSCs&#8217; constitutional responsibility is fulfilled through the work of specialised expert bodies. These Committees, comprised of subject specialists, are the main centres of public examinations, designing questions, preparing answer keys, and setting evaluation parameters.<\/p>\n<h2>Expert bodies and assessment methodology<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">PSC typically entrust the task of designing public examinations to Expert Committees comprising subject specialists. These experts are responsible for designing multiple choice questions (MCQs) framing answer keys, and setting evaluation benchmarks. The Constitution does not mandate infallibility,<a id=\"fnref23\" href=\"#fn23\" title=\"23. Ministry of Information &amp; Broadcasting, In re, (1995) 3 SCC 619, para 10.\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a> indeed, human fallibility is an implicit aspect of any institutional process, especially in matters involving human judgment and discretion.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While occasional errors in question-setting or key formulation may occur, courts have consistently held that such mistakes do not warrant judicial interference unless they cross a constitutionally cognizable threshold.<a id=\"fnref24\" href=\"#fn24\" title=\"24. See, discussion under the heading &ldquo;Scope of Judicial Review: The Caution of the Courts&#8221;.\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Judicial review is attracted where the decision-making process suffers from manifest arbitrariness i.e. when it is not fair, not reasonable, discriminatory, not transparent, capricious, biased, with favouritism or nepotism and not in pursuit of promotion of healthy competition and equitable treatment [see, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001428395\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ganpati Dealcom (P) Ltd.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref25\" href=\"#fn25\" title=\"25. (2023) 3 SCC 315 : (2022) 447 ITR 108, para 53.\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a>] or perversity i.e. unreasonableness is of such a dimension that no authority vested with the jurisdiction would have come to such a conclusion (see, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000026209\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mayawati<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Markandeya Chand<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref26\" href=\"#fn26\" title=\"26. (1998) 7 SCC 517, para 30.\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The mere presence of debatable or ambiguous questions, especially in disciplines like general studies, law, or current affairs, where two views exist, does not suffice to invalidate the examination process. The jurisprudence has consistently emphasised that while judicial review is a constitutional safeguard against arbitrariness, it is not a licence to reassess technical determinations.<\/p>\n<h2>Scope of judicial review: The caution of the courts<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The courts in India have consistently held that judicial review in academic and expert matters is limited. Courts are not appellate authorities over expert opinion. The primary concern is to check for procedural illegality, irrationality or mala fide intent.<\/p>\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000045251\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">H.P. Public Service Commission<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mukesh Thakur<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref27\" href=\"#fn27\" title=\"27. (2010) 6 SCC 759, 765.\"><sup>27<\/sup><\/a> the Supreme Court criticised the High Court for examining the question itself and held at para 20 that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">20<\/span>. &#8230; it was not permissible for the High Court to examine the question papers and answer sheets itself, particularly, when the Commission had assessed the inter se merit of the candidates &#8230; we are of the considered opinion that such a course was not permissible to the High Court.<\/p>\n<p>This deference was further solidified in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002790920\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ran Vijay Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref28\" href=\"#fn28\" title=\"28. (2018) 2 SCC 357.\"><sup>28<\/sup><\/a> (affirmed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000751971\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Vikesh Kumar Gupta<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Rajasthan<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref29\" href=\"#fn29\" title=\"29. (2021) 2 SCC 309.\"><sup>29<\/sup><\/a>) where the Supreme Court held that courts should be extremely reluctant to interfere in academic matters, particularly re-evaluation or re-checking of answers. The Court stated:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">30<\/span>. The law on the subject is, therefore, quite clear and we only propose to highlight a few significant conclusions. They are:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">30.1<\/span>. if a statute, rule or regulation governing an examination permits the re-evaluation of an answer sheet or scrutiny of an answer sheet as a matter of right, then the authority conducting the examination may permit it;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">30.2<\/span>. if a statute, rule or regulation governing an examination does not permit re-evaluation or scrutiny of an answer sheet (as distinct from prohibiting it) then the Court may permit re-evaluation or scrutiny only if it is demonstrated very clearly, without any &#8220;inferential process of reasoning or by a process of rationalisation&#8221; and only in rare or exceptional cases that a material error has been committed;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; font-style: italic;\">30.3. the Court should not at all re-evaluate or scrutinise the answer sheets of a candidate &#8212; it has no expertise in the matter and academic matters are best left to academics;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; font-style: italic;\">30.4. the Court should presume the correctness of the key answers and proceed on that assumption; and<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 54pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">30.5. in the event of a doubt, the benefit should go to the examination authority rather than to the candidate<\/span>.<a id=\"fnref30\" href=\"#fn30\" title=\"30. Ran Vijay Singh v. State of U.P., (2018) 2 SCC 357, 368-369.\"><sup>30<\/sup><\/a> (emphasis added)<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thus, the constitutional principle of institutional competence mandates respect for the domain of expert bodies. The principle of institutional competence, rooted in the constitutional design of separation of powers and functional specialisation, mandates that each branch or organ of the State must operate within its constitutionally assigned domain. In matters involving specialised knowledge, especially academic, scientific, or technical determinations, courts are required to exhibit deference to expert bodies, which are presumed to possess the institutional capacity, technical skill, and subject-matter familiarity necessary for sound decision-making.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In this regard, Prof. Aharon Barak, former President of the Israeli Supreme Court, in his book &#8220;<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Judge in a Democracy<\/span>&#8221; observed that courts must respect the roles of specialised institutions established by the legislature or executive. He contends that judicial intervention is warranted only when decisions are arbitrary or exceed legal authority (ultra vires).<a id=\"fnref31\" href=\"#fn31\" title=\"31. Aharon Barak, The Judge in a Democracy (Princeton University Press, 2006) pp. 14-15.\"><sup>31<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In India, the judiciary has implicitly acknowledged this principle in cases involving educational and recruitment bodies, emphasising that courts are not equipped to second-guess technical determinations made by statutory or constitutional authorities such as PSCs, Examination Boards and Expert Committees. This principle of judicial restraint is not unique to recruitment law. A similar jurisprudence governs the courts&#8217; approach to disciplinary proceedings in service law as well.<\/p>\n<h2>Parallels from disciplinary proceedings in service law<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">It is pertinent to note that the principle of limited judicial intervention in not confined to recruitment examinations alone. It also finds a close parallel in the field of disciplinary proceedings against public servants, where the competent authority, whether a departmental disciplinary authority or a statutory body, is vested with the power and responsibility of assessing evidence, determining misconduct and imposing penalties.<a id=\"fnref32\" href=\"#fn32\" title=\"32. Handbook for Inquiry Officers and Disciplinary Authorities (2013), Ch. 1 (&#8220;Disciplinary Proceedings: Context and Overview&#8221;).\"><sup>32<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">It is a well-settled law as held by the Supreme Court in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000021092\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">B.C. Chaturvedi<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref33\" href=\"#fn33\" title=\"33. (1995) 6 SCC 749, para 18.\"><sup>33<\/sup><\/a> and reiterated in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000513952\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">N. Gangaraj<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref34\" href=\"#fn34\" title=\"34. (2020) 3 SCC 423, para 8.\"><sup>34<\/sup><\/a> that courts and tribunals while empowered to review decisions of these authorities, are not appellate forums to reappreciate evidence or substitute their own conclusions for that of disciplinary authority.<\/p>\n<p>The judicial review in this sphere is confined to:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Compliance with principles of natural justice<\/span>: Example, adequate notice of charges, supply of relevant documents to the delinquent, a fair opportunity to be heard by fixing a date, time and place, and absence of bias (see, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000044958\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Saroj Kumar Sinha<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref35\" href=\"#fn35\" title=\"35. (2010) 2 SCC 772, paras 28-30.\"><sup>35<\/sup><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Procedural legality<\/span>: Adherence to the prescribed inquiry process and relevant statutory provisions (see, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000056793\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of A.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">S. Sree Rama Rao<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref36\" href=\"#fn36\" title=\"36. 1963 SCC OnLine SC 6, para 7.\"><sup>36<\/sup><\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000009526\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of A.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Chitra Venkata Rao<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref37\" href=\"#fn37\" title=\"37. (1975) 2 SCC 557, para 21.\"><sup>37<\/sup><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">c<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Findings based on evidence<\/span>: Interference is warranted if the conclusion is based on &#8220;no evidence&#8221; (see, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000021092\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">B.C. Chaturvedi case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref38\" href=\"#fn38\" title=\"38. (1995) 6 SCC 749, para 13.\"><sup>38<\/sup><\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002466453\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Allahabad Bank<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Krishna Narayan Tewari<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref39\" href=\"#fn39\" title=\"39. (2017) 2 SCC 308, para 7.\"><sup>39<\/sup><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">d<\/span>) <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Proportionality of penalty<\/span>: If the punishment shocks the conscience of the Court (see, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000051068\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">P. Gunasekaran<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref40\" href=\"#fn40\" title=\"40. (2015) 2 SCC 610, para 20.\"><sup>40<\/sup><\/a>).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">These principles highlight a judicial philosophy rooted in institutional competence. The fact-finding and merit evaluation are primarily the domain of the designated or competent authority. The Court&#8217;s role is supervisory, ensuring legality and fairness but avoiding intrusion into the merits of the decision.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This analogy between recruitment examinations and disciplinary inquiries highlights a broader constitutional theme i.e. decision-making by specialised bodies, whether in selecting candidates or adjudicating misconduct, is entitled to judicial deference in matters of fact and technical evaluation. This is also true in the context of competitive examinations, where PSCs and their Expert Committees are entrusted with designing question papers, preparing answer keys, and setting evaluation standards.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Yet, in practice, judicial restraint has not been applied evenly. In certain subject areas, especially law, the courts have shown a greater willingness to reassess disputed question-answers than they have in technical sciences. This inconsistency raises constitutional questions about equality of treatment in judicial review.<\/p>\n<h2>Uneven deference: The lived experience<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Courts, being primarily composed of persons trained in law, are naturally inclined to scrutinise answer keys more closely when the subject involves law or general studies. This tendency is less pronounced in disciplines like, Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry where the answers are often binary and objective.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">For instances, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013310\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kanpur University<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Samir Gupta<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref41\" href=\"#fn41\" title=\"41. (1983) 4 SCC 309.\"><sup>41<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court (rightly) declined to independently answer disputed questions from Chemistry and Zoology such as, &#8220;The theory of electrolytic dissociation was given by:&#8221; and &#8220;Which one of the following was not present in free form at the time life originated?&#8221; and rightly relied on authoritative textbooks and expert opinion. Whereas, in a recent decision in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002672792\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Siddhi Sandeep Ladda case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref42\" href=\"#fn42\" title=\"42. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144.\"><sup>42<\/sup><\/a>, wherein the questions in dispute pertain to law e.g. &#8220;An agreement made by an adult but involving a minor child where the signatory is a minor child himself, this agreement would be?&#8221;, the Court proceeded to interpret and answer the question itself.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Such differential standards are constitutionally problematic. Equality before the law demands a uniform standard of judicial review regardless of the subject-matter. If the judiciary claims limited jurisdiction in Physics or Chemistry, the same restraint must be observed in legal questions unless the error is demonstrably egregious or violative of the candidate&#8217;s right to fair evaluation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Courts like human may want to solve the crossword or a puzzle, but this is precisely the restraint imposed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002790920\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ran Vijay Singh case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref43\" href=\"#fn43\" title=\"43. (2018) 2 SCC 357.\"><sup>43<\/sup><\/a>, where it was held that judicial interference is permissible only in rare and exceptional cases. Even if questions are vague, the courts have to let it be. Attempting a vague question and dealing with &#8212; are part of examination&#8217;s exigencies &#8212; and situations that any public official may need to deal with. Therefore, the courts should not strive to judicially create a public examination.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">These concerns are not theoretical. Some recent Supreme Court interventions in recruitment examinations highlights how uneven deference operates in practice.<\/p>\n<h2>Some recent events<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">On 24-4-2025, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref44\" href=\"#fn44\" title=\"44. Reetesh Kumar Singh v. State of U.P., 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273.\"><sup>44<\/sup><\/a> The matter arose out of the recruitment examination for the post of Revenue Lekhpal in Uttar Pradesh, the Court engaged in an exercise it had previously declared off-limits: re-evaluating MCQs and declaring what the &#8220;correct answers&#8221; ought to be.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A similar development occurred in the CLAT UG 2025 Examination. On 7-5-2025, the Supreme Court in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002672792\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Siddhi Sandeep Ladda case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref45\" href=\"#fn45\" title=\"45. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144.\"><sup>45<\/sup><\/a>, scrutinised the question paper and answer key, identifying errors and ambiguities. The Court directed the Consortium of National Law Universities to amend the answer key, revise the marksheet and republish\/notify the final list of candidates.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, these are not just isolated irregularities, rather it reveals a deep inconsistency within the Court&#8217;s own legal reasoning. For Lekhpals and budding law students, the Court took on the role of examiner, interpreter, and evaluator all at once, determining how candidates should have answered specific questions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The message seems to be: Courts like human may want to solve the crossword.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic; background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, rgb(236, 198, 198));\">Reetesh Kumar case<\/p>\n<p>The first example comes from the Revenue Lekhpal recruitment in Uttar Pradesh in <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref46\" href=\"#fn46\" title=\"46. Reetesh Kumar Singh v. State of U.P., 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273.\"><sup>46<\/sup><\/a><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">.<\/span> The case involved disputes over three questions. For these three i.e. Questions 58, 63 and 90, the Supreme Court overruled the Commission&#8217;s (Expert&#8217;s) answer key and held that multiple options were equally acceptable. For example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) In Question 58, which asked where Gandhi started the Salt Satyagraha, the Court observed that although the act of defiance occurred in Dandi (Option A), the march began from Sabarmati (Option C). Hence, both were treated as correct.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">b<\/span>) In Question 63, about the longest highway passing through Uttar Pradesh, both NH2 and &#8220;none of these&#8221; were accepted due to changes in highway numbering.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">c<\/span>) In Question 90, concerning solar pump subsidies, both 30% and 45% were accepted due to updates in government policy.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court directed the Commission to re-evaluate answer sheets only for the appellants\/applicants, while leaving the results of already selected candidates untouched.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">To its credit, the Court attempts to limit the fallout by stating that its directions will apply only to the appellants and will not disturb already selected candidates. It also adds the familiar refrain: &#8220;this shall not be treated as a precedent&#8221;. But such disclaimers ring hollow. The fact remains that the highest court of the land has resolved academic questions through judicial fiat, thereby undermining the Commission&#8217;s role and inviting future litigants to ask for the same special treatment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Even more interestingly, the Court contradicts itself by acknowledging that: &#8220;questions framed were ambiguous or having more than one answers as correct&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">This is an implicit admission that the expert bodies failed, but instead of remanding the matter back to them or allowing the High Court to assess whether expert consultation was properly undertaken, the Supreme Court directly undertook the role of examiner.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">It is worth noting that the High Court had already examined and dismissed the petitions regarding these answer key disputes relying on settled precedent and the principle of limited judicial interference. The Supreme Court, however, intervened, overruled, and revaluated answers, not because of proven perversity or manifest arbitrariness, but because the Bench felt the questions were unclear.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic; background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, rgb(236, 198, 198));\">Siddhi Sandeep Ladda case<\/p>\n<p>The Court&#8217;s willingness to directly answer disputed questions was not confined to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref47\" href=\"#fn47\" title=\"47. Reetesh Kumar Singh v. State of U.P., 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273.\"><sup>47<\/sup><\/a>. Another case of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/E0X30S5d\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Siddhi Sandeep Ladda case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref48\" href=\"#fn48\" title=\"48. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144.\"><sup>48<\/sup><\/a> involved disputes over six questions. For these six i.e. Questions 56, 77, 78, 88, 115 and 116, the Supreme Court while noting that in academic matters, the Courts are generally reluctant to interfere, inasmuch as they do not possess the requisite expertise for the same, goes on to answer some of the questions again overruling the expert&#8217;s answer key and holding that multiple options were equally acceptable. For example:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">a<\/span>) In Question 56, related to protect and preserve the natural resources, the Court held both options (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">C<\/span>) and (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">d<\/span>) as correct, since the Supreme Court has time and again held that it is the duty of both the State and its citizens to protect and preserve the natural resources.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thus, despite reiterating the principle of judicial restraint, the Court proceeded to answer questions as if sitting in an academic review panel. Taken together, these decisions suggest an emerging judicial tendency to substitute its own academic judgment for that of expert bodies.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic; background-image: linear-gradient(to left, #FFFFFF, rgb(236, 198, 198));\">A troubling pattern<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Now by choosing to interfere in such cases, the Supreme Court sends mixed signals to High Courts across the country. Should they now feel emboldened to act as answer key revision panels too?<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">While the Bench&#8217;s intentions may have been guided by equity, ensuring that candidates are not punished for ambiguous questions, the route taken dilutes the principle of institutional competence. Sympathy for deserving candidates should not come at the cost of systemic integrity.<\/p>\n<p>Recently the Supreme Court in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002670705\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Mohit Kumar<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref49\" href=\"#fn49\" title=\"49. 2025 SCC OnLine SC 1125.\"><sup>49<\/sup><\/a>, while dealing with the similar issued observed that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">19<\/span>. &#8230; Once an advertisement is issued inviting applications for public employment, it is the responsibility, nay duty, of an aspirant to read and note the terms and understand what its requirements are. If any aspirant finds any of the terms ambiguous and there is scope for an inquiry inbuilt in the advertisement or is provided by any rule\/regulation, an effort ought to be first made to obtain clarity for understanding the requirements accurately. If no such scope is available, nothing prevents the aspirant from seeking clarity by making a representation. Should such clarity be not provided, the aspirant may participate in the process without prejudice to his rights and may question the term even after he is not selected. However, if the aspirant does not make any such effort and takes a calculated chance of selection based on his own understanding of the disputed term in the advertisement and later, he emerges unsuccessful, ordinarily, it would not be open to him to challenge the selection on the ground that the disputed term is capable of being understood differently&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">If this continues, the consequences will be far-reaching. Recruitment processes must have finality as well as predictability. Otherwise, every candidate with a doubt about an answer key will flood the courts.<\/p>\n<p>This kind of judicial equity is likely to generate more litigation, not less. Candidates who missed the cut-off by a single mark due to these very questions now have a strong incentive to knock on the Court&#8217;s doors, despite the order and judgment&#8217;s purported finality clause. The Supreme Court in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013620\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Paritosh Bhupeshkumar Sheth<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref50\" href=\"#fn50\" title=\"50. (1984) 4 SCC 27, 55-56.\"><sup>50<\/sup><\/a>, aptly observed that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; margin-bottom: 3%; font-size: 12.5pt;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">27<\/span>. &#8230; it is in the public interest that the results of public examinations when published should have some finality attached to them. If inspection, verification in the presence of the candidates and revaluation are to be allowed as of right, it may lead to gross and indefinite uncertainty, particularly in regard to the relative ranking, etc. of the candidates, besides leading to utter confusion on account of the enormity of the labour and time involved in the process.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar case<\/span><\/a><a id=\"fnref51\" href=\"#fn51\" title=\"51. Reetesh Kumar Singh v. State of U.P., 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273.\"><sup>51<\/sup><\/a>, the Court&#8217;s assertion that &#8220;Registry shall not entertain any further application(s)&#8221; is aspirational at best. If justice is denied to similarly placed candidates, the Court will be forced to revisit its own limitations.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Therefore, the Supreme Court should not become the &#8220;<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">highest examination appeals tribunal<\/span>&#8221;. It is time for the judiciary to step back from the examination hall and let the expert bodies do their job, even if that sometimes means living with imperfect answers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">*Sudhanshu Tewari, B.A. LL.B (Hons), Class of 2024, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya National Law University. Author can be reached at: <a href=\"mailto:sudhanshu.tiwari11@gmail.com\" target=\"_blank\">sudhanshu.tiwari11@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/h7G5KbD4\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574870\" target=\"_blank\">14<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k8TMppSJ\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574893\" target=\"_blank\">16<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/HtXkqxE0\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Umadevi (3)<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <span class=\"Hyperlink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000037786\" target=\"_blank\">(2006) 4 SCC 1<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/HtXkqxE0\" target=\"_blank\">, para 11<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\" style=\"font-weight: bold;\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002672792\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Uei3bEDC\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/h7G5KbD4\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574870\" target=\"_blank\">14<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k8TMppSJ\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art.<\/a> <span class=\"Hyperlink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574893\" target=\"_blank\">16<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/k8TMppSJ\" target=\"_blank\">(1).<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/EmJLY7j1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Renu<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">District Judge, Delhi<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000049527\" target=\"_blank\">(2014) 14 SCC 50<\/a>;<\/span> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Gf1UGyi1\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of J&amp;K<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Distt. Bar Assn<\/span>.<\/span>,<\/span><\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002522933\" target=\"_blank\">(2017) 3 SCC 410<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/y7OE6248\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State (NCT of Delhi)<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002937320\" target=\"_blank\">(2018) 8 SCC 501<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/y7OE6248\" target=\"_blank\">paras 58-63<\/a>; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/UUSuxbTP\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Shayara Bano<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <span class=\"Hyperlink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002721146\" target=\"_blank\">(2017) 9 SCC 1<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/UUSuxbTP\" target=\"_blank\">, para 95<\/a><\/span> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8561Ywv9\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"Hyperlink\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Assn.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <span class=\"Hyperlink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000051751\" target=\"_blank\">(2016) 5 SCC 1<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8561Ywv9\" target=\"_blank\">, para 1112 (HMJ Chelameswar dissenting)<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> Finer, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Theory and Practice of Modern Government<\/span>, Part VI (discussing civil service in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States and contain discussion on all aspects of the civil service in relation to the functions of the State).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> Charter Act, 1853.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> Thomas B. Macaulay, Report on the Indian Civil Service (November 1854).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/76U5Sok7\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Arts. 315-323.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7eWrgB3K\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art. 320.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013824\" target=\"_blank\">(1985) 1 SCC 122<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/w8G84ArH\" target=\"_blank\">, 127.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000019472\" target=\"_blank\">(1994) 2 SCC 630<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/t6tCC6kj\" target=\"_blank\">, 638.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000055368\" target=\"_blank\">1957 SCC OnLine SC 4<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013824\" target=\"_blank\">(1985) 1 SCC 122<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/mJ6416gC\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Rafiquddin<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000015252\" target=\"_blank\">1987 Supp SCC 401<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7eWrgB3K\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575142\" target=\"_blank\">320<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7eWrgB3K\" target=\"_blank\">(3).<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000041180\" target=\"_blank\">(2008) 3 SCC 148<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/641H8k5M\" target=\"_blank\">165<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/MU1U4Kif\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ministry of Information &amp; Broadcasting, In re<\/span><\/span>,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000020767\" target=\"_blank\">(1995) 3 SCC 619<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/MU1U4Kif\" target=\"_blank\">, para 10.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">See<\/span>, discussion under the heading &#8220;Scope of Judicial Review: The Caution of the Courts&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9001428395\" target=\"_blank\">(2023) 3 SCC 315<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/PWj48L8D\" target=\"_blank\">: (2022) 447 ITR 108, <\/a><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/PWj48L8D\" target=\"_blank\">para 53.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000026209\" target=\"_blank\">(1998) 7 SCC 517<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/83924ScR\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/83924ScR\" target=\"_blank\">para 30.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn27\" href=\"#fnref27\">27.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000045251\" target=\"_blank\">(2010) 6 SCC 759<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/30LWcKD7\" target=\"_blank\">, 765.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn28\" href=\"#fnref28\">28.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002790920\" target=\"_blank\">(2018) 2 SCC 357<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn29\" href=\"#fnref29\">29.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000751971\" target=\"_blank\">(2021) 2 SCC 309<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn30\" href=\"#fnref30\">30.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/wT0lE8qm\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Ran Vijay Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, (2018) 2 SCC 357, 368-369.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn31\" href=\"#fnref31\">31.<\/a> Aharon Barak, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Judge in a Democracy<\/span> (Princeton University Press, 2006) pp. 14-15.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn32\" href=\"#fnref32\">32.<\/a> Handbook for Inquiry Officers and Disciplinary Authorities (2013), Ch. 1 (&#8220;Disciplinary Proceedings: Context and Overview&#8221;).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn33\" href=\"#fnref33\">33.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000021092\" target=\"_blank\">(1995) 6 SCC 749<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tC9sp0Y9\" target=\"_blank\">, p<\/a><\/span><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tC9sp0Y9\" target=\"_blank\">ara 18.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn34\" href=\"#fnref34\">34.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9000513952\" target=\"_blank\">(2020) 3 SCC 423<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6b7S1v5k\" target=\"_blank\">, p<\/a><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/6b7S1v5k\" target=\"_blank\">ara 8.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn35\" href=\"#fnref35\">35.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000044958\" target=\"_blank\">(2010) 2 SCC 772<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/w5y3ZF87\" target=\"_blank\">, p<\/a><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/w5y3ZF87\" target=\"_blank\">aras<\/span> 28-30.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn36\" href=\"#fnref36\">36.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000056793\" target=\"_blank\">1963 SCC OnLine SC 6<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/r4T52P0t\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/r4T52P0t\" target=\"_blank\">para 7.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn37\" href=\"#fnref37\">37.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000009526\" target=\"_blank\">(1975) 2 SCC 557<\/a><\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/8MK4qgpI\" target=\"_blank\"><\/span>, para 21.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn38\" href=\"#fnref38\">38.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000021092\" target=\"_blank\">(1995) 6 SCC 749<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tC9sp0Y9\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/tC9sp0Y9\" target=\"_blank\">para 13.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn39\" href=\"#fnref39\">39.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002466453\" target=\"_blank\">(2017) 2 SCC 308<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/TmZw8dHh\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/TmZw8dHh\" target=\"_blank\">para 7.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn40\" href=\"#fnref40\">40.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000051068\" target=\"_blank\">(2015) 2 SCC 610<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/R8M0k9zl\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a>, <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/R8M0k9zl\" target=\"_blank\">para 20.<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn41\" href=\"#fnref41\">41.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013310\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 4 SCC 309<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn42\" href=\"#fnref42\">42.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002672792\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn43\" href=\"#fnref43\">43.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002790920\" target=\"_blank\">(2018) 2 SCC 357<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn44\" href=\"#fnref44\">44.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn45\" href=\"#fnref45\">45.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002672792\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn46\" href=\"#fnref46\">46.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn47\" href=\"#fnref47\">47.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span><\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn48\" href=\"#fnref48\">48.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/E0X30S5d\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1144.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn49\" href=\"#fnref49\">49.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9002670705\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 1125<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn50\" href=\"#fnref50\">50.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000013620\" target=\"_blank\">(1984) 4 SCC 27<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Wv7m5314\" target=\"_blank\">, 55-56.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn51\" href=\"#fnref51\">51.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reetesh Kumar Singh<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of U.P.<\/span><\/span>, <span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Lf8nDY3p\" target=\"_blank\">2025 SCC OnLine SC 2273<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Sudhanshu Tewari*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":365892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[80308,51721,92104,72594,92105,92103,92106,92108,83869,92107],"class_list":["post-365886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-constitutionallaw","tag-constitutionofindia","tag-equalityinemployment","tag-judicialreview","tag-meritbasedselection","tag-publicrecruitment","tag-publicservicecommission","tag-recruitmentreforms","tag-ruleoflaw","tag-transparencyingovernance"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.4 (Yoast SEO v26.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Judicial Review and Public Recruitment: A Constitutional Perspective on the Scope of Court 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minimum qualification, selection criteria exclusively fall in the realm of the employer and its judicial review is very limited, Allahabad High Court reiterates","author":"Editor","date":"October 25, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0 Allahabad High Court: In a public interest litigation petition instituted under Article 226 of the Constitution of India challenging the U.P. Subordinate Forest (Deputy Range Forest Officer and Forester) Service Rules, 2021, framed under the proviso appended to Article 309 Constitution of India of the Constitution, the division\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Allahabad High Court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/allahabad_high_court.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/allahabad_high_court.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/allahabad_high_court.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/allahabad_high_court.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/allahabad_high_court.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":42101,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2016\/04\/06\/selection-of-candidate-does-not-clothe-with-him-the-right-to-public-employment\/","url_meta":{"origin":365886,"position":1},"title":"Selection of candidate does not clothe with him the right to public employment","author":"Sucheta","date":"April 6, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Delhi High Court: While disposing of an appeal relating to faults in the recruitment process the Court held that, the selection of candidate does not clothe with him the right to public employment. 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J., contemplated and answered the interesting question asked in the recruitment test on which the dispute of the petitioner revolves around. Thorough interpretation of judgments starting from Sankari Prasad to I.R. 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Ravindra Bhat, JJ has held that members of the judicial service of any State cannot claim to be appointed for vacancies in the cadre of District Judge, in the quota earmarked for appointment from amongst eligible Advocates, under\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Supreme-Court_Colour.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/365886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67011"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=365886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/365886\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/365892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=365886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=365886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=365886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}