Outstanding Sportsperson Quota: Rajasthan High Court Prescribes Five-Step Scrutiny, Seeks Reconsideration Of Nursing Officer Candidates

While hearing a bunch of petitions by candidates for the post of Nursing officer, seeking their consideration under Outstanding Sports Person Category, Rajasthan High Court held that such claims had to be examined by the concerned State body in accordance with policy of State mentioned in the circular dated May 27, 2022 by the Department of Personnel (K-2).

The bench of Justice Ashok Kumar Jain held that the claims had to be examined in three counts: 1) Level of Participation; 2) Type of Event; 3) Performance, and laid down the following 5 steps for such examination:

1. Considering the definition of “outstanding sportsperson” as provided under the recruitment rules or the policy of the State;
2. Verifying the level of the event, whether international, national, State or any other level as mentioned or the policy of the State;
3. Inquiring into the recognition of the organized body;
4. Performance and participation of the claimant, and
5. Verifying the domicile or category documents, if any, provided under the policy.

All the petitioners claimed to be outstanding sportsperson based on other participation in sports tournaments organized by the concerned association, or sports body.

However, on the contrary, it was submitted on behalf of the State that the cases of the petitioners did not fall in the category of outstanding sportsperson, and hence, they were not entitled to any relief.

After hearing the contentions, the Court held,

“…it is necessary for the recruitment agency or examination body to examine the claim of a candidate who has submitted a certificate of participation in any international, national, State, inter-university or school-level tournament organized by a Federation, Association or Sports Body recognized or affiliated with the Indian Olympic Association, or National Sports Federation, or School Games Federation, in accordance with the policy of the State as mentioned in the DOP Circular dated 27.05.2022 or as amended from time to time.”

In this background, the aforementioned steps were laid down by the Court, and the State was directed to examine the claims of the petitioners regarding their status as outstanding sportsperson in accordance with the State policy and this judgment.

Accordingly, the petitions were disposed of.

Title: Sumitra Runla v State of Rajasthan & Ors, and other connected petitions

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 12

For petitioners: Mr. Tanveer Ahamad with Mr. Iliyas Khan; Mr. Mohit Sharma; Mr. Laxmikant Malpura; Mr. R.P. Saini

For Respondents: Mr. Archit Bohra, AGC with Mr. Prakhar Jain

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