APPU KUMAR Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, all of whom have qualification of B.Tech (Civil) from Institutions recognized by All India Council For Technical Education (AICTE) have challenged the constitutionality of Rule 8(1)(ii) and (iii) of the Bihar Water Resource Department Subordinate Engineering (Civil) Cadre Recruitment Rules 2023 (to be referred to as "2023 rules" hereinafter) which has prescribed diploma or equivalent in Civil /Mechanical/Electrical engineering as the qualification for appointment to the post of Junior Engineer (Civil) on the ground of the same being arbitrary, irrational and unconstitutional.

(2.) The issues raised here are not new and have been discussed in many of the judgments of this Court as also of the Supreme Court.

(3.) To have a clear understanding of the nature of challenge by the petitioners, it would, albeit, be necessary to briefly refer to the earlier rule in this regard.