The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the declaration of MPPSC 2025 prelims results, citing a petition challenging reservation rules.
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s principal bench in Jabalpur has issued a stay on the declaration of results for the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission (MPPSC) 2025 preliminary examination. The court has directed the commission not to release the results without obtaining prior permission.
The decision was taken by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain while hearing a petition filed by Mamta Dehariya, a resident of Bhopal who appeared for the MPPSC 2025 exam. The petitioner has challenged certain provisions of the Madhya Pradesh State Service Recruitment Examination Rules, 2015, arguing that they unfairly restrict reserved category candidates from competing in the unreserved (UR) category based on merit.
Challenge to the Constitutionality of Reservation Rules
The petition specifically contests the validity of Rule 4(1)(a)(ii), Rule 4(2)(a)(ii), and Rule 4(3)(a)(ii) of the 2015 Recruitment Rules, along with the General Administration Department (GAD) circular dated November 7, 2000, and the MPPSC advertisement released on December 31, 2024.
According to the petitioner, these provisions create an artificial barrier that prevents meritorious candidates belonging to reserved categories from securing positions in the unreserved category, even if their scores place them above the general category candidates. This, she argues, violates the principle of equality and fair opportunity, as it restricts deserving candidates from securing appointments solely based on their category, despite outperforming others in the examination.
Legal Arguments Presented
Senior advocates Rameshwar Singh Thakur and Vinayak Prasad Shah, representing the petitioner, contended that while the Madhya Pradesh government provides certain relaxations to reserved category candidates—such as age limit extensions, lower educational qualification criteria, and reduced examination fees—it simultaneously prevents them from being considered under the UR category, even if their scores qualify them for selection on merit.
The counsel argued that this practice runs contrary to the constitutional principles of equality and social justice, as enshrined in Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution. They emphasized that reservation policies should facilitate opportunities for disadvantaged communities rather than impose artificial limitations that restrict their advancement based on merit.
Implications of the Court’s Order
With the High Court’s intervention, the MPPSC 2025 results remain on hold until further directives are issued. This ruling raises significant questions about the implementation of reservation policies and whether restrictive provisions that limit merit-based selection for reserved category candidates align with constitutional principles.
The case is likely to set an important precedent regarding affirmative action and meritocracy in public service recruitment, as the judiciary examines the balance between social justice and equal opportunity. Further hearings will determine whether the contested provisions stand or require modification to ensure fair competition for all aspirants.
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