Failure to meet prescribed minimum qualifying marks and category cut-offs precludes claims to recruitment selection.

The petitioner, belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category, applied for the post of Driver (Constable) pursuant to an advertisement dated 29.11.2019.

He qualified for the written examination held on 14.10.2020 and the Physical Eligibility Test (PET) on 24.11.2021.

The petitioner subsequently appeared for the driving efficiency test but was not included in the final selection list.

He approached the High Court seeking a writ of certiorari to organize a fresh driving test and to reserve one seat in the SC category pending disposal of the case.

Whether the petitioner is entitled to a fresh driving test or selection despite failing to secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed in the recruitment advertisement.

The court relied on the eligibility criteria and qualifying standards set forth in the recruitment advertisement issued by the Central Selection Board of Constable (CSBC).

The core legal principle applied is that a candidate must meet both the minimum qualifying marks in the efficiency test and the final cut-off marks established for their respective category to be entitled to appointment.

The Driving Efficiency Test required a minimum score of 33.5 marks for candidates in the Scheduled Caste category.

Upon review of the records, the court found that the petitioner secured only 32.25 marks, which was below the mandatory eligibility threshold.

The court noted that the cut-off mark for the last selected candidate in the SC category was 39.

Since the petitioner failed to satisfy the minimum eligibility criteria and trailed the final cut-off significantly, the court determined that the respondents' decision not to select him was legally sound and did not warrant judicial interference.

The court denied the prayer for a fresh driving test and dismissed the writ application.