Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Chhattisgarh High Court Gives Forest Ranger Aspirant Second Chance
Yogesh Banjare wanted to become a forest ranger.
He had to complete a walking test as part of the selection process.
Before the test in 2023, he was injured in an accident and could not attend.
He said he told the authorities about his accident before the test.
The authorities later rejected his request for another chance.
The state said there was no rule allowing the test date to be changed.
The Chhattisgarh High Court said Banjare should get another opportunity if the posts were still vacant.
The court ordered officials to hold his test within 60 days.
Passing this test does not automatically guarantee that he will be appointed.
Yogesh Banjare missed his 2023 forest ranger physical walking test after suffering injuries in an accident.
Banjare said he informed authorities about the accident and his inability to attend through September 4 and September 11, 2023, communications.
The state argued that no rule or circular allowed the physical test date to be extended or another opportunity granted.
The High Court noted that the accident and prior intimation were not disputed and that forest ranger posts might still be vacant.
Justice Bibhu Datta Guru ordered officials to conduct Banjare’s physical test within 60 days and proceed according to law.
- Who
- Yogesh Banjare, a forest ranger aspirant, and officials of the Chhattisgarh government and recruiting authority.
- What
- The Chhattisgarh High Court directed officials to give Banjare another opportunity to take the Physical Efficiency Test (Walking).
- When
- The test was scheduled in 2023; the court order was dated September 10, and officials were given 60 days after receiving the order.
- Where
- Chhattisgarh, before the Chhattisgarh High Court.
- Why
- Banjare missed the test because of injuries from an accident and said he had informed authorities beforehand; the court also noted that the posts might still be vacant.
Banjare’s Position
State’s Position
Second opportunity
Banjare’s Position
Banjare sought another chance because an accident and resulting injuries prevented him from attending the physical test, and he said he had informed authorities beforehand.
State’s Position
The state argued that no government rule, circular, or statutory provision allowed the scheduled test date to be extended or another opportunity to be granted.
Relevance of Supreme Court precedent
Banjare’s Position
Banjare relied on a Supreme Court decision involving candidates who informed authorities about an ailment before or at the time of a physical efficiency test.
State’s Position
The state argued that the precedent was distinguishable because the earlier matter involved a government circular specifically allowing an extension.
Vacant posts
Banjare’s Position
Banjare submitted that the forest ranger posts for which he applied were still vacant, supporting his request to take the test.
State’s Position
The state opposed the request, while the court made the relief conditional on the posts still being vacant.
- Aspirant
- Yogesh Banjare
- Post sought
- Forest Ranger
- Recruitment examination
- Chhattisgarh Forest Service (Combined) Examination, 2020
- Missed test
- Physical Efficiency Test (Walking), scheduled in 2023
- Prior communications
- Applications or intimations dated September 4 and September 11, 2023
- Court direction
- Conduct the physical test within 60 days of receiving the order and proceed according to law
- Presiding judge
- Justice Bibhu Datta Guru