81 1 4 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH a P J 1 1 CWP No10230f2011 Date ofDecisionl 362Oll ParamveerSinghand others ePetitioners 4 Versus 1 Punjab Public Service Commissionc others 2 CWP N0528of2011 1 r m Simar Preet Kaur ePetitioner 0 Versus 0 1 PunjabPublic Service Commission espondent C0 3 CWPNo480f2011 I C9 Gur Jai Pal Singh ePetitioner I Versus Punjab Public ServiceCommission8 another Respondents Z 1 CWPN023of2011608Ml f SukhpalSingh 40etitioner Versus I L0 Public ServiceCommission c another Respondents 1 l Z 7 CWP No2435 of2011 1 GursharanSingh ePetitioner 00 Versus V7 Z PunjabPublic Service Commissionc another Respondents rIl 6 CWP No2436 of2011 CL iarnek Singh8 another Petitioners Versus PunjabPublic Service Commission8eanother Respondents 7J CWP No2507 of2011 Maninder PartapSingh Petitioner w 1 Versus Punjab Public Service Commission8 another eRespondents 8 CWP No2553of2011 KaramvirSingh Petitioner 1 Versus PunjabPublic ServiceCommission8 another Respondents e J 4rF 4 a Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 9 J 1 1 1 1t r 82 1 4 1 9 CWP No 1023of2011 e2 It 11 9 CWP No2666 of2011 t 7 Kaur 8 others emPetitioners nl 1 jl Versus Punjab Public Service Cossion c others A 10 CWP No2688 of2011 1 1 RavinderKaur Petitioner t Versus 4 1 PunjabPublic ServiceCommission8 another 11 CWP No2735 of2011 0 I4 0 Singh ePetitioner Versus 0 PunjabPublic Service Commission8 another J 12 CWP NoA682of2011 Z KamaljitSinghE another mPetitioners Versus CC Punjab Public ServiceCission c another 13 CWP No6522 of2011 Singh Petitioner Versus c PunjabPublic Service Commission8 others CORAM HONBLE MReJUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI 1 Z1 Present Mr Pawan Kumar Sr Advocatewith Mr SaquibAli Khan Advocate tl Mr Jagdeep SinghMr HC Arora Mr S Chander ShekharMr GN Malik Mr HarshAggarwalMr PS 1 KhuranaMr BS Sewak Mr GL BajajMs JyotiSarin Mr GurmohanSinghMr HC Arora Advocatesfor the r petitioners Mr PuneetGuptaAddl AG Punjab W Ms Anu Pal AAG Punjab r 4 PERMOD KOHLIJ lOI Faced with the common factualpremises and questions oflaw all thesepetitionsare beingdisposedofbythis common order In view of the common questions repliesflled by the Stateof Punjaband PunjabPublic Service Commissionin CWP No 10230f2011 14 44 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 83 4 2 CWP N0023 of2011 3 havealso been treatedas con replies in all thesewrit petitions 1 The Punjab Public Service Commission hereinaer referredto as the 1e nol issued an advertisementdated A 26112009inviting for fillingup of 143 poststhrough Punjab Civil Services Combined Examination 2009 Initially143 1 C posts were advertised however by a dated 2122009 issued 0 by the Commission postsof Excise cTaxation Offlcers were increased I I 0 from 37 to 74 distributed in various Thus the totalnumberof C5 seats brought within the purviewof aforementionedexamination came to I 180 Z to PunjabCivil Services Executive Branchl 1S bythe statutoryrules ed underprovisoto Article 309 namely I PunjabCivil Services Executive BranchlClassl Rules 1976 Rule 7 Z dealswith the to the service andreadsas under 1 CQ 11 to the Service shall be made ln manner herein amongstaccepted candidateswhosenames havebeen 7 Z dulyentered in accordancewith these rules in the of 0 candidatesto be rnaiained under theseniles 33 Rule 8 dealswiththe Registers to bemaintained Under Ruie 8 1 as many as five types are to be maintained RegisterAe1 A Ae3 and C deal with the to the service from the in service P candidates from various feeding services of the State of Punjabwhereas 1 RegisterB deals with the direct recruitment Ori the basis of main competitive examination Rule 841readsas undec 8 ThefollowingRegistersof accepted candidates shall be nzaintainedbythe to Govt Punjabnamely 49 Register B in which shall be enteredthe name ofpersons accepted as candidatesas a result ofthemain examination 44 V4 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 84 4b b CWP No 1023of2011 4 and 3P 1 Rule 14 dealswith the inclusionof thequalifiedcandidatesin themain examinationin Register B subject to theprovisions of 1 Rules 13 and 134 Rules 12 and 13 deal with the 1 conduct of the examination and admissionof candidatesto the 4 m examination whereasRule 13A deals with the main examinationto be held for selection of 0 1 4 candidatesTheserulesare hereunderl I 0 rr 121l A excunination the I ofwhichare containedin Appendix II oftheserules shall be held at anyplaceln the StateofPunjab as and whennotifledbythe Govt Z throughthe Commissionfor the purpose of selectionof candidatesfor 12 admissionto themain competitive examinationas specvled in rule 13 29 Noticeof thedate8xedfor the I C0 examinationshall bepublished in thePunjabGovt Gazette Z 13 for permission to sit in the examination will be called bythe Commissionand CQ shall 7 Z 21 No person shall be allowedto appearin the Ll competitive examination a whohasnot attainedtheageoftwentyone years or who will submission Providedthattheupper age limit may be relaxedbythe Govt C fromtime to time 1 that in the case ofa candidatewhobelongs to ScheduledCastesor BackwardClassesthe upper agelimit shall be such as mayfromtime to time bxed bytheGovt in respectofentryinto service under theStateofpersons to such castes or classes who doesnot possess at least a bachelorsdegreeof a recognized university in Arts Scienceor Commerceand Irl whn dnps nnt InI thp rlnsino dntp fnr rorpint nf 6P 1 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 85 14 4 CWP No1023of2011 5 l to be notifledbythe Commission senda crossedBank Draft 1 drawn in favourofSecretaryPunjabPublic Service Commissionpayable at Patiala on account of exanon feeas fuedbythe Commission PI 1 Provided that a Govt senlant holdinga ministerial under the PunjabGovt including Courts who has not less continuous service underthe Govt on the last datxed by 4 1 l the Commissionfor submission shall be eligible to appear ltl the examination if he possessesat least a Bachelors degreeof a 0 Il 0 university in Arts Science or Commerce and has not attained I lhe age ofthirtyeightyears subject to Zheconditionthat heh not availed C5 of threechances in addition to thosewhich he mighthavealreadyavailed I ofin any other capacity Z Note Anypersonwho is eligible as Gov servant under t this rule and wishes to appear Ul the examination shall submit his in theprescribed form through the Head of his 081ce to the I Secretary to the Commission L 13eA 19 A main examination the of Z which are containedin AppendixIII of these rules shall be held at any CO placein the State ofPunjabas and when notIed bythe Govt through the Commission for the purpose of selection by of as many 7 Z candidatesfor theservice as Govt may determine r 29 Notice of the da 8xed for the maln examinationshall bepublished in thePunjabGovt Gazette 4 3 No candidate shall be allowed to sit in the main excunation unless he has qualifiedthe competitive examinationin terms oftheprovisionofrule12 a 49 The total number of candidates to be admittedto the maln examination shall not exceed thirteen times the total number determinedbytheGovt undersub rule 77 The Commission also issued brochure for PunjabState Civil Service Combined Examination 2009 The brochure contains entireinformationin respectto the numberofvacancies break up the conditionsrelating to andmain examination Ie 4 1 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 86 n4 4 CWPNo 1023of2011 0 and other details the examinationcentres etc As per the brochure the examinationconsist of two papers in the following manner 4 U PRELIMINARY PUNJAB STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMBINED COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION 1e The examinationwill consist of two papers of type multiplechoice and carry a 0 maximumof450 marksin thesubject as under 1 0 PaperI General Studies 150 marks Z C5 Z PaperII One subject to be 300 marks Z selectedfrom the list ofoptional subject givenbelow 0 Totall 450marks I t Those who are qualifiedlIl the Z examination are entitled to applyfor admission to the main 00 examination w Z All the petitionersappliedfor examination 111 tl responseto the aforementionedadvertisementPetitionersin thesepetitions belongto ScheduledCastes Backward Classes and Freedom Fighter categones The fact remains that all the petitioners belongto one or the C other reservedcategoryTheywere issued admit card and roll numbersfor 1 in thepreliminary examinationwhich was held on 1922010 The Commission issued list of the successful candidatesof preliminary examination The list comprises of shortlistedcandidatesfor the main examinationcategorywiselike general ScheduledCastes BackwardCastes etc Even though the list is roll numberwise however every list contains 44 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 87 1 4r CWP No 1023of2011 7 4 Q 1 1 categoryWise cut off marks securedby the candidatesin the 1 1 1 examination The detailsof categorywise cut of marksfor each category are in thefollowing mannerl A GENERAL CATEGORY O11 TOTAL CANDIDATES1106 CUT OFF MARKSZ290017 d 1 ESM PUNJAB CATEGORY 21 C TOTAL CtUDIDATES119 CUT OFF MARKS680456 0 LDESM PUNJAB CATEGOR731 1 0 TOTAL CANDIDATES8 CUT OFF MARKS2030578 I C5 FREEDOM FIGHTERS PUNJAB CATEGORY 41 TOTAL C4U1101DATES14CUT OFF MARKS3050050 I SPORTS PERSONS PUNJAB CATEGORY 051 Z TOTAL CANDIDATES26 CUT OFF MARKS226510 CC PHYSICALLY HDICAPPED PUNJAB CATEGORY 0610 I TOTAL CANDIDATES66 CUT OFF MARKS233 C0 SC OTHERS PUNJAB CATEGORY 071 Z TOTAL CANDIDATES249 CUT OFF MARKS760023 1 r OO SC ESM PUNJAB CATEGORY 081 4r TOTAL CANDIDATES12 CUTT OFF RKS680456 Vn Z SC PUNJAB CATEGORY nm 801 TOTAL CANDIDATES CUTT OFF MARKS2110155 1 BlM SIKH PUNJAB CATEGR811 TOTAL CANDIDATES36 CUT OFF MARKS2310117 BlM SIKH PUNJAB CATEGOR821 TOTAL C1U1TDIDATES1CUT OFF MARKS88591 1 BlM SIKH SPORTS PERSON PUNJAB CATEGORY 841 TOTAL CANDIDATES2 CUT OFF MARKS2300923 BC PUNJAB CATEGOR851 TOTAL CANDIDATES317 CUT OFF MARKS2257 BC ESM PUNJAB CATEGOR861 TOTAL CANDIDATES12 CUT OFF MARKS68A56 A 4 V4 t Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 88 4 CWP No 1023of2011 m8 Petitioners who belongto differentreserved havenot 1 been for the main examinationhavingsecuredmarkslessthan the cut off marksin their however some of the 4 have securedmarksmore than thelastqualiSed candidatesin the general category It is also pertinent to note that in most of the reserved e 4 e 0 theshortlistedcandidateshave securedmore marksthan the last 0 shortlistedin thegeneral categoryIn Vlew of thisfactual the Il 0 have thisCourt seeking a direction for shiing the Z 0 reservedcategorycandidateswho have secured more marks than the X shortlistedcandidates in general categoryto generalcategory on the basis of Z their merit and resultantslots in reservedlist be fllled from reserved 1 CC candidatesnext in the merit on the basis of test The 6 prayer made in some of the writ petitions is also to redraw themerit list in Z accordance with the mandate in case ofIndra SawhneyVs ClO UnionofIndia as 1992 Supple 01 SCC 217 and RK Sabharwal m7 and others Vse State ofPuniab reportedas 199521RSJ 8950 Z The stand of the Cossion and the 1S Om identical It is statedthatas per thePunjab StateCivil Service 1 byCombined Rules 2009 readwith PunjabCivil ServiceExecutiveBranch9 Rules 1976 ule 134I the totalnumberof candidatesto be admitted to the main examination cannot 1 exceed 13 times the total number of vacancies detennined by the Govt undersub rule 1 Rule 13eA relied upon by the reads as under 411 41 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 89 04 JWPN 10230f2011 8m 1 The total number of candidatesto be admitted to the main 1 examinationshall not exceedthirteentimesthetotalnumberof vacancies determinedbythegovt undersubule 33 It is accordinglycontendedthat thereis no provisionunder 4 1 the rules or instructions which inter alia requires a reservedcategory candidatewho secures more marksthan thegeneralcategorycandidateis to 4 j r be treated as generalcategorycandidatefor purposes of as 0 1 preludeto main examination havefurther relied 0 I upon the instructionsdated30121996 which prohibitsconversionfrom r C5 I one category to another It is stated that the candidatesare required to be shortlistedup to thirteen 139times the numberofvacancies Z ln their own categoryand no candidatecan be shiRedfrom one categoryto another includingfrom reserved to generalcategoryfor purposes of I for main examination It is also the standof the r Z Statethat reservation is providedunderthe backwardclasses Reservation QO lll ServiceslAct 2006 and thereis no provisionin the said Act whereunder 7 reserved categorycandidatewho a secures more marks than the general Z tl category can betreatedas generalcategorycandidate It is also the standof the that the candidateswho appliedundera panicularcategory S are required to appear in the main examination and viva voce test 111the same categoryin whichtheyhadapplied 9c The Stateof Punjabhas enactedthe PunjabScheduledCastes 1 and BackwardClasses 2eservationin Act 2006 This Act 1S applicable to all by a direct recruitment bypromotion or by transfer Section 4 providesthepercentageofreservationfor eachcategory W 44 1 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 90 eJ CWP N 10230f2011 10 and readsas under t 4 Perce of Reservadon While making appointmentsin servicebyany ofthemethodsprovidedunder anyService Rules reservationshall be madefor themembersoftheScheduledCastes P and BackwardClassesin thesenlices under all theestablishments 21 The percentageof reservation for 8lling up the 1 vacancles by direct recruitmentor by tlr in GroupAl GroupB1 r GroupC and GroupD senliceshall be per cent for 0 ScheduledCastesand twelveper centfor 1 BackwardClasses 0 C 3 The percentageof reservation for lling up the t5 vacanctes bypromotionbyScheduledCastesin Group54 and GroUpB1 vlm servicesshall cent 41 Thepercentage up thevacancies Z bypromotionbyScheduledCastesin GroupIc and GroupD services 2 shall be twentyper cent 59 Fi per cent ofthe vacanciesof thequotareservedfor I ScheduledCastesin direct recruitment shall be 0red to Balmikisand Z Mazhbi Sikhs if available asa flrSt preferencefrom amongstthe 1 ScheduledCastes ril 6 7 bymeans of a running Z roster as may beprescribedtill thepercentageof resenlation as specified in submsections anc49 are completed Ll 71 Reservationshall be applicable to vacancies to blled 1 on ad hoc basis short term vacancies work charged establishmentdaily wagesstafYand the on contract basis 89 Reservation shall also be applicableto proforma promotionand bytransfer 33 1 Section 7 deals with the deereservationof the reserved vacanciesand readsas under 1C Dewreservationof reservedvacancl9 Thereshall be no dea reservatlon of any reserved vacancy by any appointingauthority in any establishmentwhich lS to be fllled up by direct recruitmentor by promotion In case a qualifled or eligibleScheduledCastesor Backward C70s rnndidnto ns tho rnrP mnv ho ir nnt nvnilnhlo tn flll lJn rllrh O9 rt Iae Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document b 91 1 e CWP No 1023 of2011 m11 9 vacancyin that situation such vacancyshall remain unjllled 1 2 anything containedin subsectior i1 in the publicinterest it is deemednecessary to flll up any vacancy referred to ln that submsectionthe shall rer the 4 vacancy to the of WelfareofScheduledCastes andBackward Classes for deereservation Uponsuch referencethe of Welfareof Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes may if it is satisfled 1 e that it is necessaryor so to do byorderin writingdewreserve the 0 vacanc subjectto thecondition that the vacancy so deereservedshall be 1 Co carriedforward againsta unresenledvacancy 33 C9 Contentionon behalf of the petitioners is that the reservation I policyofthe Stateis to be applied in accordancewith theprovisions of the Z Reservation Act Govt Instructions issued from time to time and the judgement of the Honble ApexCourt In case as 1992 Supple C SCC 217 titled as Indra Sawhney Vs Union of India the Honb1e t Supreme Courtobservedas under Z 1 811In this connection it is well to rememberthat the C0 reservations under Article I49 do not operatelike a communal m7 reservation It may well en that some members to say Z ScheduledCastesgetselectedin the open competitiofiled on the basis of Qe their own merite theywill not be countedagainstthe quotareservedfor ScheduledCastes theywill betreatedas opencompetition candidates 39 In a ConstitutionBench lll caseof RK SabharwalVs StateofPunjab 1995 21SCT 646 The Honble Supreme C Court has 61rtherobservedas under 1 rr When a percente of reservation is 5xedin respectof a particular cadre and the roster indicates the reserve pointsit has to be tcikenthat theposts shown at the reserve points are to be Jllledfrom amongst the membersofreservecategories and the candidas belonging to the generalcategoryare not entitled to be consideredfor the reserve postsOn the other hand the reserve categorycandidas can compete 4V 5 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 92 7 CWP No 1023of2011 2 for the nonereserve postsand in the event of their to thesaid 1 356posts their numbercannot be added andtakeninto working out thepercentageofreservation Article 141 oftheConstitution of India permitsthe State Government to makeany provisionfor the f reservatlon of or postsinfavourofanybackwardclass of citizen which in theopinionof theStateis not ln the Services under the State It is incumbent on the State 4 m Governmentto reach a conclusionthdt the backwardclasslclassesfor which the reservation is made is not in the State 11 0 0 Senlices While doingso the State Governmentmay take the total I populationof a particularbackward class and its in the 0 State Services When the State Government ar doingthe necessa exerclse makesthe resenlation and provides the extent ofpercentageof Z poststo be resenledfor the said backwardclassthen thepercentagehas to be followedstrictly The prescribed percentagecannotbe varied or becausesome of the membersofthebackwardclasshave alreadybeen againstthegeneral seats As mentioned above the roster pointwhich is reserved for a backward class has to be Z jilled byway of of the memberof the said class CQ No generalcategorycamHdatecan be appointedagainsta slot in the rosterwhich is resenJedfor the backward class Thefactthat considerable amo Z numberofmembersof a backward class have been W againstgeneralseats in the StateServicesmay be a relevantfactorfor the StateGovernmentto review the questionofcontinuing reservationfor the said class but so long as the instructionsIRulesprovidingcertain the backwardclassesare operative thesame have to be followedDespit any number of to the backwardclassesagainstthegeneral categorypoststhe given percentagehas to beprovided in addion ZP C Honble SupremeCourtagainconsideredthe questionof ofthe reservationin case ofRitesh R SahVseDre YeL Yamul jl 1 1 r n reported as 0 VieW4 yl 1 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 93 el 4 CWP Noe 1023of2011 e13m Vs State of Haryanaand others reportedas 2010 Sl SCC 136 the 1 Honble SupremeCourt applying the principleof merit of the reserved categorycandidatesobservedas underl 1 1 11 It was arguedbyMr Patwaliaand in our opinionrightly SO thatif an exmservicemancandidatescoredhighenough marksentitling him to be selected 1 ln the Exservicemen eneraocategorysuch candidatesoughtto be selectedin the said categoryinstead of selecting 0 themin the BC641 or BC categories 31 In 0 I In case of Jitender Kumar Singhand another Vse State of 0 I UePeAnd others reported as 2010 SCC 119 Honble Court was agaln examining the controversy whetherreservedcategorycandidate Z can be selectedagainstthegeneralcategorypost on more marks thanthe lastcandidatein thegeneralcategor In para33 of the I t Z Ir 33he core 1 lSSUe ln the writ petitionswas with regardto CO jilling up the General Category posLs by candidates to the d 41eOYYCandidateson their obtaining more marks than the last 7 Z candidatein theGeneralCategoly 33 e This questionhasbeenansweredas underl From the aboveit becomesquiteapparentthat the relaxation A in age limit is merelyto enable with the generalcategorycandidate all other thingsbeingequal The State has not treatedthe relaxationin age t andfeeas relaxationin thestandardfor selectionbased on the merit ofthe candidatein the selectiontest ie An WrmenTestfollowed byInterview 1 suchrelaxationcannot deprive a reservedcategorycandidateof the rightto beconsideredasa generalcategorycandidate on the basis of merit in the exanzOn 33 Based upon these leamedcounsel for the petitioners havesubmittedthat reservedcategorycandidatescannot be putto positionEven bysecuring more marksthan the 1 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document 94 4 J CWP No 1023of2011 e14 generalcategorycandidatestheyhave been retained in reserved category t and thusdeprived the reservedcategorycandidatesnext in the merit oftheir i rightof in the main examinationIt is e arguedthatall thosereservedcategorycandidateswho havequalified on the basisoftheir own merit are to be treatedas generalcategory candidatesfor 1 1 C purposes of allowingthe benefit of reservation to other 0 reserved categorycandidateswho are next in the merit in the relevant Ii 0 I categorYeIt is contendedthatthebendlt of reservationis to be granted to C5 the deprivedclassesof the societywho by virtue of their deprivation are I unable to play a level game with others however by not treatingthe Z meritorious reserved categorycandidates amongstthe generalcategory tZ candidatesthe benetltof reservation doesnot percolate to the I reservedcategorycandidates Z Apartfrom above petitioners have also relied upon Gt QO Instructionsdated 1071995 vvhereinfollowingprovisionshave been V2 made1 Z Ir iJ While the percentageof reservation as tl prescribed lll Govt Instructionsfrom time to time the oBlcialsIolcers on basis belongingto reserve categorieswill be the number ofreservecategories working in theparticularcadre 37 These Govt Instructionshave also been followed by another 1 Govt Instructionsdated 30121996 wherebyquantum of reservation for Backward Classesin the State Services has been ftxed This notification further providesthat where the regularnumber of ScheduIedCastes Ex serviceman candidatesare not availablethe earmarkedvacanciesfor this category would first go to ScheduledCastesand in case no Scheduled Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 95 4e r J CWP No023 of2011 15a Castes candidatesare available thesewill be givento the Exserviceman t generallcategorycandidatesIt is argued thatenough number 1 of ScheduledCastes Exmservicemanbeingnot available the vacancles w0u1dgo to Scheduledcastes candidatesat the flrst instance and i4 ScheduledCastescandidatesare also not availablethenthesevacancieswill 1 goto categor candidates 0 MrHC Arora one ofthe counselappearing for thepetitioners 1 0 X hasfurtherargued thatthevery objectof shitlingthemeritoriousreserved C5 categorycandidates to the generalcategorypoolis not to allow any benet I to any individual but to grantbenefit ofreservationto a class ofthe society Z who has sufferedand is to be providedequal with the none e reservedcategories I The State on its parthasseriouslyand opposed the t Z contention of the petitionersMr Puneet GuptalearnedAddl AG and 4 ClO Ms Anu Pal AAG Punjabwhile referring to the PunjabCivil Service eW2 Executive Branch96Classeo Rules 1976 have submittedthat preliminary Z examination has beenconductedstrictlyin accordancewith the mandateof 0 the rules The rules envisageapplication of the reservationpolicyat the 1 stageof examination to the limited extente Accordingto Mr Guptaevery reserved categorycandidate has been sufficientlyprovided to competefor main examinationand 13 timescandidatesfrom each reservedcategoryhave been shortlistedand declaredqualifiedfor C appearing in the main examination It is contendedthat the examination per se 1S not a process of selectionbut only a prelude to initiation of selection process The shortlistingthroughthe mode of examinationis onlya qualifying examinationand the strictrules 4 va Se 1 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI 2016.03.28 10:52 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document P 96 1 Ie 1 CWP Noe 1023of2011 m16m of reservationhave no application at the stageof qualifying examination 1 The htrthercontention of the 1 cxcsxG lS that while providing benefitto 14 the reservedcategories theconcept eof administrativeefficiency cannot be 1 sacrificed A balanceis to be maintainedbetweenthereservationand the administrative whichis thehallmarkof everyservice 1 CC the administrative services of a State which is consideredto be a premier 0 service Referring to the observationsrnade in Indra RC l 0 I Sabharwaland M Nagrajs cases it is arguedthat while the C5 reservation administrativeefflciency has also to bepreserved I It iS 61rthercontendedthat a balancehasto be struck between Z the claimsof the reservedcategories and the maintenanceof efficiency of 2 administration underArticle 335ofthe ConstitutionofIndia Reservationto provideequal to the C3 Z and classesemanates om Anicle 161 of 1 Cr CD the Constitutionof India whereasArticle 335 requiresthe considerationof 7 the claims of ScheduledCastes and ScheduledTribes with the Z maintenance of of administration The constitutional scheme ll itself requiresproviding to the classes of the 1 societyto enable them to competewith otherswho are considered to be better placedwith opportunity lll the societyand at the same time needs administrativeefficiency It is in this context that the principleof 1 C reservation what is called in Iegalparlanceas the protective discrimination is to be viewed The purposeand scope of Article 16 has beenconsideredbythe Honble ApexCourt in a number right fromthe case of RailwayGeMeVseRangacharireported as 6212 586to VSeUnion ofIndia and others a20061 8 A 44 Pooja 2014.07.01 12:32 True Copy of the Original PHHC, Chandigarh JOYTI RANI