In Brief
The Supreme Court held that in selecting Assistant Professors under Madhya Pradesh's horizontal gender-reservation rules, reserved-category candidates (OBC, SC, ST) who score higher marks than General Category candidates are entitled to be considered and selected for unreserved category seats on the basis of merit. The Court rejected the High Court's view that horizontal reservation creates watertight compartments preventing such merit-based migration. Endorsing its earlier decision in Sourav Yadav, the Court clarified that merit must be given precedence at all selection stages. Candidates placed higher in merit retain their rank in the overall select list; they are simply allotted seats within their own reserved category's quota. The Court also directed that candidates wrongfully delayed in appointment be deemed appointed on the earliest date their juniors were appointed, with seniority and back salaries restored.
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