In Brief
Three candidates challenged High Court orders rejecting their applications to the Bihar Judicial Service. Sweety Kumari and Vikramaditya Mishra were rejected for not producing original character certificates (though photocopies existed); Aditi was rejected for lack of a law degree certificate. The Supreme Court held that producing originals at interview is directory, not mandatory under the recruitment rules. Since all three candidates scored above cutoff marks and were merit-listed, their candidatures could not be rejected on procedural grounds alone. The Court directed their accommodation, relying on the principle that possession of qualifications at application time—not proof—determines eligibility.
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