“Job Aspirants Cannot Dictate Recruitment Conditions”: Calcutta High Court Refuses Relaxation In EWS Certificate Requirement

The Calcutta High Court has dismissed a writ petition challenging cancellation of candidature in an Airports Authority of India recruitment process after the candidate failed to submit the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) certificate for the financial year specified in the recruitment notification.Justice Amrita Sinha held that a recruiting authority cannot be compelled to accept documents contrary to the conditions prescribed in the recruitment notice and observed that “it is not open for a job aspirant to direct the recruiting authority for prescribing conditions for holding the recruitment process.”The petitioner had participated in a recruitment process conducted by the Airports Authority of India under the EWS category. As per the recruitment notice, candidates seeking reservation under the EWS category were required to submit an income and asset certificate for the financial year 2023-24 during document verification.The petitioner failed to produce the required certificate at the time of verification and furnished an undertaking stating that he would submit the deficient document by February 6, 2026. The undertaking also specified that the last date for submission of deficient documents could not extend beyond February 13, 2026.Since the petitioner did not submit the certificate within the stipulated period, his candidature was cancelled.Before the Court, the petitioner contended that because the examination took place in 2025, he could not furnish an EWS certificate for the financial year 2023-24. He sought a direction upon the authorities to accept an EWS certificate for a different financial year.Opposing the plea, the AAI argued that the recruitment notice expressly prescribed the relevant financial year for the EWS certificate and no relaxation could be granted.The respondents relied on the Supreme Court judgment in Poonam Dwivedi & Ors. v. State of U.P. & Ors., where the Apex Court reiterated that submission of a certificate pertaining to a different financial year affects the root of a candidate's eligibility.Accepting the submission, the High Court held that the petitioner admittedly failed to produce the reservation certificate for the prescribed financial year.“Relying upon a certificate of any other financial year will not validate the reservation claimed by the petitioner,” the Court observed.The Court further held that permitting relaxation in favour of one candidate would amount to discrimination against similarly situated candidates who may also have failed to produce the requisite documents.“If departure is made in respect of one candidate, then the other candidates will be deprived of such opportunity and may approach the Court for similar relaxation,” the Court noted.Observing that no illegality had been shown in the action of the authorities, the Court dismissed the writ petition and declined to grant any relief.Case Title: Deepak Kumar v. Airports Authority of India & Ors.Case No.: WPA 8642 of 2026Click here to read order

“Job Aspirants Cannot Dictate Recruitment Conditions”: Calcutta High Court Refuses Relaxation In EWS Certificate Requirement

Srinjoy Das

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“Job Aspirants Cannot Dictate Recruitment Conditions”: Calcutta High Court Refuses Relaxation In EWS Certificate Requirement

Srinjoy Das

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