In Brief
Mohit Kumar and Kiran Prajapati applied for police and paramilitary positions in Uttar Pradesh in the OBC (Other Backward Class) reserved category. Both submitted OBC certificates issued in the Central Government format, but the recruitment notification explicitly required the State Government format. Both scored below the general category cut-off but above the OBC category cut-off. The recruiting board rejected them, treating them as general category candidates. The High Court allowed one applicant's writ petition but dismissed the other's. The Supreme Court held that the recruiting board was justified in enforcing the format requirement, as it was clearly stated in the notification and served to verify compliance with the State's specific creamy layer criteria. The Court dismissed both appeals.",
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