Archive · 29 Dec 2025
SC Rules General Posts Open to All
The Supreme Court recently made a big decision about job openings in Rajasthan.
They said that jobs labeled as 'general' or 'open' are not just for people from certain castes or backgrounds.
Instead, these jobs should be given to the most deserving candidates, no matter what group they come from.
This decision came after some people from reserved groups, like Scheduled Castes or Other Backward Classes, were not allowed to compete for general category jobs even though they scored higher than the general category cut-off marks.
The court said this was unfair and went against the idea of equality.
They explained that if someone from a reserved group does well enough to qualify for a general job without any special help, they should be treated like a general category candidate.
This ruling helps make sure that everyone has a fair chance to get a job based on their hard work and skills.
Supreme Court ruled that 'general' or 'open' posts are not reserved for any specific caste, tribe, class, or gender.
Posts should be filled based on merit, allowing reserved category candidates to compete if they meet the general category cut-off.
The court rejected the idea that reserved category candidates who qualify for general posts receive 'double benefits'.
The ruling came in response to a case where reserved category candidates were excluded from the general category despite scoring higher than the general cut-off.
The court emphasized that the general category is not a quota but a pool open to all candidates.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India
- What
- Ruled that general category posts are open to all candidates based on merit
- When
- December 19, 2023
- Where
- India
- Why
- To uphold constitutional principles of equality and merit
- Case Context
- Rajasthan High Court staff hiring
- Key Issue
- General category posts open to all
- Court's Stance
- Supports merit-based selection
- Reserved Categories
- SC, OBC, MBC, EWS
- Selection Stages
- Written exam, typewriting test
- Cut-off Controversy
- Reserved category cut-offs higher than general
- Court's Observation
- General category not a quota
- Constitutional Basis
- Articles 14 and 16