Rajasthan High Court Directs Consideration of Age Relaxation for SI Recruitment

Court Urges State Government to Decide on Age Relaxation for Delayed Recruitment Process

In a significant development for aspiring candidates in Rajasthan, the Rajasthan High Court, Jaipur Bench, presided over by Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, has directed the State Government to contemplate age relaxation for candidates appearing in the Sub Inspector and Platoon Commander recruitment examination. This directive came in response to multiple writ petitions filed by candidates who argued that the recruitment process was delayed, thereby necessitating age relaxation.

The core issue revolved around the recruitment advertisement dated July 17, 2025, which did not provide age relaxation for candidates who had appeared for the Sub Inspector Recruitment Examination in 2021. The petitioners contended that they were adversely affected by the time lapse between the previous recruitment drive and the current advertisement.

The court, acknowledging the hardships faced by the candidates due to the delayed recruitment process, emphasized the need for a fair competition, as enshrined in Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Indian Constitution. It highlighted that candidates should not be penalized for systemic delays and should be provided a fair chance to compete for public posts.

Justice Jain noted the interim order allowing candidates provisional permission to appear in the examination, pending the government's decision on age relaxation. The court directed the State Government to make a decision within eight weeks, considering the rights of the candidates and the provisions under the Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989, which allow for age relaxation in certain circumstances.

The judgment also touched upon the integrity of the recruitment process, referencing previous malpractices such as paper leaks and corruption, which have plagued public examinations. The court underscored the importance of transparency and accountability in conducting examinations to uphold public trust.

The court's order allows the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) to declare examination results provisionally and permits candidates to pursue their candidature without age-related disqualifications, pending the government's decision on age relaxation.

This judgment could potentially impact a large number of candidates who have been waiting for the recruitment process to resume and offers hope for a resolution that considers the candidates' rights and the procedural delays.

Bottom Line:

Age relaxation sought for candidates in recruitment for Sub Inspector and Platoon Commander posts under Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989.

Statutory provision(s): Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution of India, Rajasthan Police Subordinate Service Rules, 1989 - Rule 11(3) and Rule 46.

Suraj Mal Meena v. State of Rajasthan, (Rajasthan)(Jaipur Bench) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2807060