In Brief
The University of Delhi engaged over 300 contract employees as Junior Assistants from 2003 onwards, though a recruitment ban prevented regular appointments. When the ban was lifted in 2013, the university advertised 255 regular posts. Contract employees sought regularization, but the Supreme Court held they could not claim it because they had not worked 10+ years as of April 2006 (when Uma Devi was decided). However, denying them regularization entirely was unjust. The Court directed that in future selections, contract employees receive full age relaxation based on service, plus sliding-scale service marks (up to 18 marks maximum for those hired in 2003, representing a 6% advantage out of 300 total marks), plus adequate notice and three months to prepare. Unsuccessful employees retain the right to apply in future rounds under the same terms.",
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