The Supreme Court of India has given an important decision related to government jobs and recruitment. The court ruled that candidates from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) can be appointed to general category posts if they score the general category cutoff marks.
This means that reservation category candidates are not restricted only to reserved seats. If they perform well and meet the same cutoff fixed for general category candidates, they have the full right to be selected under the general category.
The court made it clear that merit comes first. When a candidate from SC, ST, OBC, or EWS scores equal to or more than the general cutoff, they must be treated as a general category candidate. Their selection should not be counted against reserved vacancies.
This decision is important for students preparing for government exams, including UPSC, SSC, banking, railways, and state-level recruitments. It ensures that talented candidates are rewarded fairly, no matter which category they belong to.
The ruling also helps maintain balance in the reservation system. Reserved seats will remain available for candidates who need them, while high-scoring candidates from reserved categories will not be pushed into reserved quotas unnecessarily.
Many candidates were earlier confused about whether reserved category students could take general seats. The Supreme Court’s ruling removes this confusion and gives a clear answer: yes, they can, as long as they meet the general standards.
Legal experts say this judgment supports equality and merit-based selection while keeping the reservation system intact. It also prevents discrimination against candidates who work hard and score high.
Overall, the decision strengthens fairness in public recruitment and gives confidence to lakhs of aspirants across the country. Candidates are now encouraged to aim for higher scores, knowing that good performance can open more opportunities.
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