BALVEER SINGH Vs. RAJASTHAN PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) WE have considered the rival contentions. In our considered opinion, the 'syllabus' of an examination is quite different from the standard of examination. The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopaedic Dictionary inter-alia defines standard as 'degree of excellence' etc. required for a 'particular purpose'. The same dictionary inter-alia defines syllabus as 'concise statement of heads of discourse contents of treatise, subjects of lectures, course of study etc. '. Thus, the two expressions have distinct and different meanings and are not synonym of each other. They do not mean and imply the same thing. The syllabus of Hindi paper has been prescribed in exercise of powers under the relevant rules and cannot be challenged on the ground that it is not identical with the syllabus of Hindi paper taught at degree level of the Rajasthan University. The purpose behind any competitive examination is to select the best available talent and this object is in accordance with the mandate of Article 51a (J) of the Constitution of India. When the the petitioners applied for permission to sit at the 1st stage examination, even at that stage they knew about the course-content of this paper, which course content had been laid down by the RPSC in exercise of powers conferred by statutory rules. The course content or the syllabus does not violate or infringe any fundamental right of the petitioners. On a harmonious reading of the provisions pertaining to syllabus and standard, we are of the view that the course content does not infringe the scheme of the rules. The petitioners have no right to challenge the same. Moreover, it is too late in the day now to challenge the syllabus at this stage. SHORT NOTE .