In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the Union of India's decision to cancel a Limited Competitive Examination (LCE) for recruitment to the Indian Police Service, rejecting challenges from candidates who had appeared in the 2012 examination. Although candidates do not have an indefeasible right to appointment, they may have a legitimate expectation; however, the government can change such policy for valid public interest reasons. The Court found the cancellation justified by: declining vacancy percentages, a six-year delay exceeding the prescribed age limit for selected candidates, pending litigation, and the likelihood of extensive future seniority disputes among officers. The decision was neither arbitrary nor capricious and served the broader public interest."
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