CAT Orders Fresh Height Measurement For Constable Candidate Rejected Over Height; If He Meets Standard, Delhi Police Must Conduct PE&MT

The applicant, an OBC candidate for Constable (Executive) (Male) in the Delhi Police Examination, 2025, scored 90.3117 marks in the computer-based examination, above the stated OBC cut-off of 70.05181.

He was subsequently disqualified at the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT) on the alleged ground of insufficient height.

He said he had not been given a measurement sheet, rejection slip, or his recorded height.

Government medical certificates obtained by him recorded his height as 171 cm, while the stated minimum was 170 cm.

Relying on Ashok Kumar Saini v. Union of India & Others, O.A. No. 3670/2024, he sought fresh measurement by a Government Medical Board.

Whether the respondents should be directed to remeasure the applicant’s height because he disputed the PE&MT measurement and alleged that he had not been provided the measurement record.

Whether, if the fresh measurement showed that the applicant met the height requirement, the respondents should permit him to undertake the PE&MT and consider the consequential outcome.

The application was brought under Section 19 of the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.

The Tribunal directed that height be measured afresh in accordance with the applicable rules and instructions and using the methodology adopted for other candidates in the same selection.

It also referred to Ashok Kumar Saini v. Union of India & Others, O.A. No. 3670/2024, in which fresh examination of height by a Government Medical Board had been directed in a physical-measurement dispute.

The Tribunal considered the applicant’s challenge to the recorded height, his assertion that he had not received the measurement record, and the medical certificates recording a height above the stated minimum.

Without finally determining whether the original measurement was incorrect, it considered that the interests of justice would be served by a fresh measurement conducted under the governing rules and by the method used for other candidates.

It further directed that both digital and manual methods be used, and provided for the applicant to undertake the PE&MT if he met the height criterion.

Within one week after measurement, the respondents were to take the consequential decision regarding his participation in the PE&MT.

If he met the height criterion, the respondents were to conduct the PE&MT; if successful, he would be entitled to appointment subject to fulfilling the other eligibility conditions.

The directions were to be complied with within three weeks from receipt of the order.

There was no order as to costs.