In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has clarified the status of reserved category candidates who score high marks in competitive examinations. The court held that even if such a candidate scores above the general category cut-off and is consequently upgraded, they will continue to enjoy the benefits and protections of their original reserved category status.
The Case That Led to the Clarification
The directive was issued by Justice Amrita Sinha on Tuesday following a petition filed by a candidate who had appeared for the 2025 State Level Selection Test (SLST) conducted by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). The petitioner had successfully made it to the first selection list but approached the court with a specific request. She sought to have her Scheduled Caste (SC) status restored officially, despite the possibility of being placed in the general category due to her high score.
The legal proceedings saw senior counsel Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, representing the SSC, present a counter-argument. He requested the court's permission to upgrade the candidate to the general category. His reasoning was grounded in the broader purpose of reservation policy. Bandyopadhyay contended that reservation is designed for the welfare of an entire community, not for individual benefit. He argued that if the petitioner insisted on retaining her specific SC seat, another deserving SC candidate with lower marks would lose the opportunity to be considered for selection.
Court's Reasoning and Reference to Past Order
Justice Sinha paid close attention to the procedural details of the candidate's application. The judge noted a crucial fact: the petitioner had explicitly marked herself as a reserved category candidate while filling out the examination form. Furthermore, she had submitted a fee of Rs 200, which is specifically designated for applicants from reserved categories. These actions, the court observed, clearly indicated her initial status and intent.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Sinha referred back to her own order from November 27. In that previous ruling, the court had established an important principle: once a candidate's category is finalized during the application process, the examination authorities cannot unilaterally or "suo motu" change it. This precedent reinforced the position that the candidate's declared category is a fixed and protected element of their candidacy.
Implications for Future Exams and Candidates
This ruling has immediate and wide-ranging implications for competitive examinations in West Bengal and potentially beyond. It provides legal clarity on a scenario that often generates confusion among candidates and administrative bodies. The judgment affirms that the benefits of reservation are not forfeited upon achieving a high score. This means candidates from SC, ST, or OBC backgrounds can secure positions on merit in the general pool while still being protected under reservation rules for other considerations, such as service seniority or future internal promotions.
The decision underscores the dual objective of India's reservation policy: to ensure representation and provide opportunities for historically disadvantaged communities, while also recognizing and rewarding individual merit. It prevents high-scoring reserved category candidates from being forced into a binary choice between their community status and their academic performance. The Calcutta High Court's order ensures that the system remains flexible and fair, protecting both community interests and individual rights.
