In Brief
The State of Gujarat conducted an examination for Revenue Talati posts in which 7.5 lakh candidates appeared. Subsequently, evidence of large-scale malpractices emerged, including forged OMR sheets with identical markings, candidates with identical addresses and family relationships, and corruption allegations. The State cancelled the examination entirely and announced a fresh recruitment process. Successful candidates who were not appointed challenged the cancellation as violating Article 14 (equality). Held: The State is entitled to cancel the examination without proving individual malpractices; the decision is not arbitrary or disproportionate because innocent candidates retain the opportunity to participate afresh, with age-limit relaxations provided. No Article 14 violation occurs when remedying widespread examination fraud.
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