Retirement before selection does not preclude consideration for induction into the Indian Forest Service.

The applicant, a Deputy Conservator of Forests (Non-Cadre) in the Kerala Forest Service, was due to retire on 30 November 2026, upon reaching the State’s retirement age of 56 years.

He was placed at serial number 8 in the provisional seniority list and claimed that three vacancies were available in the Indian Forest Service (IFS), Kerala Cadre, as on 1 January 2026.

He apprehended that retirement before selection and induction could prevent his consideration for the IFS.

The Tribunal heard the application at the admission stage.

Whether the applicant’s scheduled retirement on 30 November 2026 should prevent his consideration for selection and induction into the IFS, Kerala Cadre.

The Tribunal ordered that the applicant’s retirement should not stand in the way of his being considered for selection and induction into the IFS, Kerala Cadre, “in accordance with law”.

The order identifies no particular statutory provision, regulation, legal test, or precedent as the basis for that direction.

The Tribunal noted the applicant’s impending retirement, his position in the provisional seniority list, and the claimed availability of vacancies.

After hearing counsel for the parties, it concluded that retirement should not itself prevent consideration for selection and induction.

The order does not provide further reasoning or address the applicable selection criteria.

No costs were ordered.