In Brief
The Supreme Court examined whether degree holders in Electrical Engineering could compete for the position of Junior Engineer (Electrical) with the HPSEB, where the prescribed minimum qualification was diploma. The Court held that degree holders are eligible. The Court found that the 5% promotional sub-quota for degree-holding Junior Engineers to the post of Assistant Engineer demonstrated the rule-makers' intent to include degree holders. The amendment of 2020 expressly permitting degree holders was treated as clarificatory and retrospectively applicable. The appeals were allowed and the Board was directed to consider all applicants, including degree holders, on merit-based selection criteria.
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