JASMINE AMARAJOTHI NAVARATNAM Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These petitions raise an important question of law relating to recruitment to class III cadre in the Reserve Bank of India, which is a body corporate constituted under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. The matter arises in this way:

(2.) The non-consideration of the petitioner's applications is sought to be justified by the Reserve Bank qf India, on the following contentions: For the purpose of recruitment to class III and Class IV posts, the entire country has been divided into 17 zones with a Regional Office at every zone. The vacancies in the cadre of Class III posts arising in every Regional Office are being filled up only from candidates who have passed the qualifying Examination from Universities established in the respective zones, The classification based on such graduation is a reasonable classification designed to achieve administrative efficiency and to promote maintenance of good staff relations. Familiarity with local conditions, traditions and usages pertaining to a particular zone reflected in the standards prevailing in different Universities and this qualification adds to the efficiency of candidates in a particular zone. That this classification is rational and is intended to achieve the object of maintaining the highest efficiency and harmonious working conditions amongst the members of staff.

(3.) Art. 16 provides: