In Brief
The Supreme Court examined whether the Union of India's decision to cancel the Limited Competitive Examination for IPS recruitment (held in 2012) was lawful. Although candidates selected in recruitment processes do not have an indefeasible right to appointment, the State must act fairly and not arbitrarily. The Court upheld the cancellation, finding it taken in good faith and public interest based on: reduced vacancies over six years, age limits exceeded, pending litigation in multiple courts, and anticipated inter se seniority disputes. The Court rejected claims of vested rights and legitimate expectation, finding the decision neither arbitrary nor capricious, and reasonably justified by combined factual considerations.
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