In Brief
The Supreme Court dismissed a civil appeal by a candidate (belonging to SEBC category) who sought accommodation in general category seats in a forest service recruitment process after initially availing age relaxation as a reserved category candidate. The Court held that a reserved category candidate who avails age relaxation cannot subsequently seek general category placement. Age relaxation for SC/ST/SEBC candidates is an aspect of reservation under Article 16(4) and must be applied consistently throughout the selection process. The Court distinguished Jitendra Kumar Singh v. U.P. (which involved a different state statute and policy) as inapplicable to Gujarat's contrary circulars dated 29-1-2000 and 23-7-2004, which mandate that candidates availing relaxation be adjusted against reserved seats only.
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