WAZIR KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Written statement filed on behalf of respondent No.3 is taken on record.

(2.) The petitioner, who sought admission for diploma in elementary education, was fettered in seeking admission by existence of a rule stipulated by the State that the upper age limit for admission shall be 27 years. The petitioner was 28 years and, therefore, would challenge the prescription of age limit as arbitrary on 3 grounds: (i) no other State has any such limitation for diploma in elementary education; (ii) for purposes of getting a job in any private elementary school, there is no age limit; (iii) in respect of Government elementary schools, the maximum age prescribed is 38 years. If a person could take a job at 38 years, there is no reason to prevent a person from qualifying to the necessary diploma for any age less than the maximum age prescribed.

(3.) The State in its reply denies the information that the other States do not prescribe any minimum age. It is asserted that the ceiling of age is a policy matter which cannot be interfered with. It is submitted by the counsel, which is without pleading, that normally a student completes +2 at 17 years and, therefore, the age limit at 27 years is reasonable.