SUKHMANDER SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Sanjoy Ghosh, learned Senior Counsel along with Mr. Vijay Kasana, learned counsel appearing for the Appellants. Also heard Mrs. Smita Bankoti, learned counsel for the appellants in the connected appeal. The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) is represented by Mr. P.S. Khurana, learned counsel. The State of Punjab is represented by Mr. Avishkar Singhvi, learned counsel.

(2.) This matter pertains to the 31 vacancies that arose on the post of Laboratory Attendants, pursuant to an advertisement issued on 27/4/2011 by the PSEB. The eligibility criteria to apply for the said vacancies were that the candidate must have qualified 10th standard with Science & Punjabi as subjects. A total number of 4,752 applicants applied for these posts. As part of the initial screening, a preliminary written test was conducted on 28/9/2011, on the basis of which a total of 1,952 candidates were shortlisted as per the determined benchmark cut-off score.

(3.) These shortlisted candidates were subsequently called for the next segment of the selection process i.e., the interview stage. Due to the sheer number of candidates, interviews were conducted over multiple dates, culminating in the completion of the selection exercise. Thereafter, a final list of selected candidates was published on 4/4/2012.