CAT Orders Fresh Height Test For Delhi Police Constable Applicant After Initial 168.2 Cm And Appeal 169.5 Cm Readings

In brief

The question

1. Whether, in light of the disputed height measurements and the applicant’s subsequent medical certificate, a fresh measurement should be directed.

The court held

The Tribunal directed the respondents to arrange a fresh height measurement at an appropriate institution, in accordance with the applicable rules and instructions, within three weeks of receiving the order.

It also directed

Within one week after measurement, the respondents must decide the applicant’s participation in the Physical Endurance and Measurement Test (PE&MT).

If he meets the height requirement, he is to proceed further in the recruitment process; if he participates in and passes the PE&MT, he is entitled to appointment subject to satisfying all other eligibility conditions.

The O.A. was disposed of, with no order as to costs.

01Facts

The applicant was declared not qualified in the Physical Measurement Test for recruitment as Constable (Executive) Male in Delhi Police Examination, 2025, because his height was recorded as 168.2 cm, against the prescribed minimum of 170 cm.

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On appeal, his height was remeasured as 169.5 cm.

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He relied on a subsequent Government Hospital certificate recording his height as 170.5 cm and sought a fresh measurement by an independent Government institution.

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He also relied on a similar order in Dheeraj Kumar v. Union of India & Others, O.A. No. 3999/2026, dated 13 October 2026.

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

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02Issues

i.1. Whether, in light of the disputed height measurements and the applicant’s subsequent medical certificate, a fresh measurement should be directed.

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ii.2. Whether the applicant should be permitted to proceed in the recruitment process, and potentially receive appointment, if he meets the prescribed height and other eligibility requirements.

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03Law Applied

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

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The Tribunal directed that the fresh measurement be conducted in accordance with the applicable rules and instructions and using the same methodology adopted for other candidates in the recruitment process.

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The order cited no specific recruitment provision or binding precedent; it noted the applicant’s reliance on the Tribunal’s earlier order in Dheeraj Kumar.

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Provisions in the judgment · 1 · Linked ones open on LawLens

Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985 Section 19

04Reasoning

The initial and appellate measurements both fell below the required 170 cm, while the applicant produced a later medical certificate recording 170.5 cm.

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In view of these conflicting measurements, the Tribunal considered that the interests of justice would be served by a fresh measurement, rather than deciding the applicant’s eligibility on the existing disputed figures.

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It required the respondents to use the same measurement methodology applied to other candidates and to take consequential action based on the result.

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