Candidate must strictly possess a Master’s degree in the specific subject prescribed by recruitment rules.

The appellant applied for the post of Shikshan Sahayak (Assistant Teacher) in Sociology under the ST reserved category

Although she was placed on the merit list and attended document verification, her candidacy was rejected because she did not possess a Master's degree in Sociology

The appellant possessed a B.A. in Sociology but her Master's degree was an M.A. in Education

She challenged the rejection via a writ petition, which was dismissed by the learned Single Judge on the grounds that she failed to meet the specific eligibility criteria prescribed in the recruitment rules

The appellant subsequently filed this Letters Patent Appeal.

1. Whether a candidate possessing an M.A. in Education can be considered qualified for the post of Shikshan Sahayak in Sociology when the recruitment rules specifically prescribe an M.A. in Sociology

2. Whether the requirement of an M.A. in Sociology can be "read down" or waived on the assertion that such courses were unavailable in certain universities or districts at the time of the appellant's graduation

Rule 7(B) and Appendix-I of the Government Higher Secondary Teacher, Class III, Procedure for Selection Rules, 2019, framed under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution, which explicitly mandates a Master’s Degree in the specific subject of specialization (Sociology)

The settled legal principle that the determination of educational qualifications for a teaching post is the sole discretion of the employer/expert body, and courts exercising judicial review should not substitute their judgment for that of the employer

The court found that Appendix-I of the 2019 Rules clearly stipulates both a B.A. and an M.A. specifically in "Sociology" for the post in question

The court rejected the appellant's argument that "M.A. Education" (which included a subject on "Sociological Foundation of Education") was equivalent, stating that the State requires an academic expert in the specific field to benefit students

Regarding the appellant's claim that no M.A. Sociology courses were available, the respondent produced evidence that Gujarat University and Veer Narmad South Gujarat University did indeed offer the course

The court distinguished Laxmikant Sharma v. State of Madhya Pradesh, noting that in this case, the specific degree was available in the state, making the appellant's failure to obtain it an eligibility bar

The court emphasized that a candidate cannot insist that their existing qualifications be treated as adequate if they do not match the prescribed criteria

The High Court dismissed the appeal and upheld the findings of the learned Single Judge; consequently, the rejection of her candidacy was valid, and all interim reliefs were vacated