CWP (T) No. 4044 of 2008. 10.7.2009 Present: Mr. Ranjan Sharma, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. R.K. Bawa, Advocate General with Mr. Ankush Dass Sood, Addl. A.G. and Mr. Anil Jaswal, Dy.A.G. for respondents No. 1 to 3. The petitioner was appointed as work charged Beldar in the year 1966. The State Government has framed Recruitment & Promotion Rules in respect of work charged/Mate brought on regular cadre on 5.5.1995. The post of Beldar is in the feeder category for promotion to the post of Mate. The minimum qualification prescribed for filling up the post by promotion is middle standard examination or its equivalent from the recognized University/Board. The petitioner is not in possession of requisite minimum essential qualification. Mr. Ranjan Sharma has strenuously argued that since the petitioner was appointed Beldar in the year 1966, it was not open to the respondent-State to prescribe qualifications in the Recruitment & Promotion Rules while effecting promotions to the post of Mate. The learned Advocate General has argued that it is the prerogative of the State Government to frame Recruitment & Promotion Rules and to prescribe essential qualification. We have heard the parties and gone through the pleadings carefully. We cannot accept the contention raised by Mr. Ranjan Sharma that no qualification could be prescribed in the Recruitment & Promotion Rules for promotion to the post of Mate. These Recruitment & Promotion Rules have come into force with effect from 5.5.1995. It was open for the respondent-State to prescribe educational qualification for effecting promotion to the post of Mate. The scope of judicial review to declare the rules ultra vires or to quash them is very narrow. It is only in those cases where the qualifications prescribed are arbitrary or unreasonable, the Court shall interfere. The petitioner has failed to prove that the prescription of qualification of middle standard examination in the Recruitment & Promotion Rules in any manner is arbitrary or unreasonable rather the prescription of qualification of middle standard examination will improve the efficiency in the respective cadres. Accordingly, there is no merit in this petition and the same is dismissed. No costs. (Jagdish Bhalla), C.J. (Rajiv Sharma), J. July 10, 2009. (cr)