In Brief
The State of Gujarat cancelled a recruitment examination for Revenue Talati positions (1500 posts, with over 750,000 candidates appearing) after discovering large-scale malpractices including specific markings on OMR sheets and widespread complaints of irregularities. Successful candidates who were denied appointment challenged the cancellation as illegal and violating Article 14. The Supreme Court held that the State may cancel an examination where prima facie evidence of large-scale malpractices exists, without formal proof of each allegation. The action satisfied Wednesbury reasonableness and did not violate Article 14, as innocent candidates retained opportunity for a fresh examination with age-limit relaxation provided. The Court dismissed the appeals, upholding the cancellation as a rational and proportionate response to examination tampering.
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