Tribunal quashes DSSSB's lifetime ban on LDC aspirant, Orders fresh biometric verification

New Delhi, December 20, 2024

 

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has quashed the lifetime debarment of Mandeep Singh, a Lower Division Clerk (LDC) aspirant, imposed by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) on allegations of impersonation.

 

The Tribunal, comprising Hon’ble Dr. Sumeet Jerath (Member A) and Hon’ble Ms. Harvinder Kaur Oberoi (Member J), held that the DSSSB’s orders dated 02.09.2021 and 21.10.2021, which debarred Singh from all future exams and cancelled his candidature, were issued in violation of principles of natural justice, without affording him a proper hearing.

 

Mandeep Singh, 28, had applied for the LDC post advertised in 2013 (Post Code 51/13) and participated in the written exam in 2019 and subsequent skill test in 2021. The DSSSB later alleged discrepancies in his biometric data, leading to a lifetime ban. Singh, however, maintained he had duly appeared for all tests and had even alerted authorities proactively in March 2021 regarding a mole difference in his photographs to prevent confusion.

 

Noting inconsistencies in the DSSSB's reliance on a biometric report submitted by private agency EDCIL, the Tribunal observed that the fingerprint match score varied drastically, from 0 to a perfect 100, raising questions about the accuracy and reliability of the report.

 

In a conciliatory approach during the hearing, the DSSSB and EDCIL offered to re-verify the applicant’s biometric credentials using TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) as their technical advisor. The applicant agreed to this proposal.

 

Accordingly, the Tribunal directed DSSSB and EDCIL to complete a fresh biometric and photographic verification within six weeks. If the data match and Singh is found eligible on merit and medical grounds, he shall be appointed to the LDC post with notional seniority and benefits, except for arrears of pay, applying the ‘no work, no pay’ principle.

 

The judgment is expected to impact the way biometric discrepancies are handled in recruitment processes and reaffirms the importance of procedural fairness.

 

[Mandeep Singh Vs. DSSSB & Ors., O.A No. 2648/2021, decided on 2012.2024, Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi]

 

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Anuj Aggarwal

Advocate

D-26/A, First Floor, Jangpura Extension,

New Delhi - 110014

 

483, Block-2, Lawyers Chambers,

Delhi High Court, New Delhi-110003

Mobile – 9891403206

Landline – 011 - 35554905

Email – anujaggarwal1984@gmail.com

 

Delhi High Court Sets Aside Rejection of TGT Candidates Over Public Administration Degree

PDF Judgment

New Delhi, May 14, 2025 — Delhi High Court has set aside rejection orders issued by the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) against three candidates, who had applied for the post of Trained Graduate Teacher (TGT) in Social Studies.

 

The core issue revolved around whether ‘Public Administration’ could be considered equivalent to ‘Political Science,’ a requirement under the 2023 Recruitment Rules for TGT (Social Studies). While the candidates held undergraduate degrees in History or Geography, their second subject was ‘Public Administration’, which NESTS argued did not meet the eligibility criterion.

 

Hon’ble Mr. Justice Prateek Jalan, presiding over the matter, referred extensively to the Supreme Court's decision in Rajbir Singh Dalal v. Chaudhary Devi Lal University, where it was held that ‘Political Science’ and ‘Public Administration’ are “interrelated and interchangeable,” especially in academic appointments.

 

The Court observed that NESTS appeared to have taken a "superficial" view in rejecting the candidates and directed the constitution of a fresh committee comprising subject-matter experts to re-examine the issue. The impugned rejection orders dated June 24, 2024, were accordingly quashed.

 

NESTS has been instructed to complete this expert evaluation within two months. If the petitioners are found eligible, appointment letters are to be issued within three months.

 

The ruling brings renewed hope to many aspirants whose academic qualifications in ‘Public Administration’ have long remained a gray area in teacher recruitment norms.

 

[Babita Vs. National Education Society for Tribal Students & Ors., WPC No. 10751/2024, Delhi High Court, decided on 14.05.2025]

 

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Anuj Aggarwal

Advocate

D-26/A, First Floor, Jangpura Extension,

New Delhi - 110014

 

483, Block-2, Lawyers Chambers,

Delhi High Court, New Delhi-110003

Mobile – 9891403206

Landline – 011 - 35554905

Email – anujaggarwal1984@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Promotion to the post of PGT (Physical Education) in DOE – CAT granted interim relief

New Delhi, May 1, 2025

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has granted interim relief to a group of Physical Education Teachers (PETs) seeking promotion to the post of Post Graduate Teacher (Physical Education) for the vacancy year 2022.

 

The Tribunal, comprising Hon’ble Mr. Ajay Pratap Singh (Judicial Member) and Hon’ble Mr. Sanjeeva Kumar (Administrative Member), passed the order in OA No.1555/2025, observing that the applicants have made out a strong prima facie case for relief under the Recruitment Rules (RR), 2016.

 

The applicants argued that despite being senior to some candidates, their applications were not accepted for consideration, allegedly due to a restrictive interpretation of eligibility criteria laid down in a Circular dated December 11, 2024. The applicants pointed out that the statutory Recruitment Rules, 2016 provide for promotion eligibility to senior teachers who may be short of the required qualifying service by not more than half of it, a clause not reflected in the said circular.

 

Opposing the plea, the Directorate of Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, argued that the applicants had not completed the required two years of service by the cut-off date. However, the Tribunal held that executive instructions in the circular cannot override the statutory recruitment rules.

Granting interim relief, the Tribunal directed the Directorate of Education to provisionally accept application forms (online or offline) of the applicants for consideration.

 

The matter will now be heard further on July 17, 2025.

 

[Naveen Grewal & Ors. Vs. Directorate of Education & Ors., OA No. 1555/2025, CAT, Delhi, date of Order – 01.05.2025]

 

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Anuj Aggarwal

Advocate

D-26/A, First Floor, Jangpura Extension,

New Delhi - 110014

 

483, Block-2, Lawyers Chambers,

Delhi High Court, New Delhi-110003

Mobile – 9891403206

Landline – 011 - 35554905

Email – anujaggarwal1984@gmail.com