Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a significant ruling on jobs reserved for candidates with lower educational qualifications, declaring that concealing higher degrees to obtain such positions is legally invalid and amounts to snatching employment from the rightful candidate.
Hiding Higher Degrees to Get Reserved Jobs Is Illegal
A bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R Mahadevan ruled that concealing higher educational qualifications to secure a job reserved for less educated candidates is legally void. The court held that such appointments deprive the genuinely eligible candidates of their rightful employment opportunities.
Madras High Court’s 2025 Order Set Aside
The Supreme Court overturned a 2025 Madras High Court order that had ruled in favour of a person who had hidden his graduation degree to obtain the post of an attendant at Syndicate Bank. The apex court held that the high court’s decision was incorrect and contrary to the principles of fair employment.
Less Educated Cannot Compete With Overqualified Candidates
The Supreme Court observed that less educated individuals cannot compete on equal footing with highly qualified candidates, which is precisely why the government reserves certain posts for those with lower qualifications. The court affirmed that such reservations are entirely justified and serve an important social purpose.
No Automatic Right to Lower Posts for Overqualified Candidates
Citing a previous 2025 ruling, the Supreme Court reiterated that employment must be granted to all eligible candidates strictly as per prescribed rules. The court clarified that merely being overqualified does not automatically entitle a candidate to a post designated for lower qualifications, and such appointments will not be recognised as valid under the law.
