In Brief
The State of Jammu and Kashmir challenged the High Court's order directing appointment of both candidates for a single Rehbar-e-Taleem teacher post. The Court held that the upper age limit of 35 years for such appointments is mandatory, not discretionary. The second respondent, who exceeded this age on the cut-off date, was therefore ineligible. The Court affirmed the first respondent's appointment but set aside the direction to continue the second respondent, holding that one vacancy cannot justify appointing both candidates. The Court reinforced that public recruitment must strictly follow constitutional requirements of equality and uniformity, with no scope for unfettered discretionary relaxation.
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