Haryana constables' recruitment: High Court dismisses petitions challenging selection method

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently dismissed 62 petitions challenging the recruitment of constables in Haryana. The controversy centered around the evaluation method used for selecting candidates. Initially, a percentile method was employed to prepare the merit list, but it was later replaced by the equi-percentile formula, a score normalization tool. 

Recruitment controversy explained

The government argued that the change in the evaluation method was necessary due to the overwhelming number of applicants. A staggering 8,25,921 male candidates applied for just 5,500 advertised positions, while 2,54,985 female candidates vied for 1,100 posts. This led to the adoption of the equi-percentile formula, which is widely accepted in various competitive exams, including UPSC, GATE, and NEET-PG, to ensure fairness in evaluation.

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Court's verdict

In its ruling, the High Court upheld the equi-percentile formula, stating that it accurately calculates equated marks and maintains the ranking of candidates based on their raw scores. The court emphasized that technical matters in the academic field should not be interfered with unless there is a violation of the law, malice, or arbitrariness, which the petitioners failed to prove in this case.

The judgment, issued on August 11, 2023, and made available now, underscores the importance of maintaining fairness and equality in the selection process, especially when dealing with a large number of applicants. The court's decision brings clarity to the constable recruitment process in Haryana, ensuring that candidates are evaluated fairly and consistently.

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