In Brief
The Union Public Service Commission fixed qualifying cut-off marks for a 2004 promotion examination to the post of Section Officer. The following year, 148 successful candidates from 2003 were again selected. A tribunal directed the Commission to reduce the cut-off marks to allow 119 additional candidates to qualify. The Supreme Court held that once qualifying marks are fixed for a particular year, they cannot be reduced later. All candidates in that year must meet the same standard. Reducing marks after the fact would create two different qualification standards for the same selection, which is impermissible. The Court set aside the tribunal's order and allowed the appeal."
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