Legal Analysis: Rajasthan Public Service Commission vs. Lavanshu Sankhla & Ors

Citation: 2026 INSC 444
Court: Supreme Court of India
Bench: Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta
Date of Decision: May 4, 2026
Nature of Judgment: Civil Appeals under Article 136 against High Court judgment directing RPSC to permit candidates without degree at application stage to appear in examination.

Synopsis of the Judgment

RPSC advertised 181 posts of Assistant Prosecution Officer, requiring a Law degree. Respondents (law students) applied before acquiring their degree, which they obtained later (22.08.2024) before the preliminary exam (19.01.2025). The High Court directed RPSC to issue admit cards, holding that the advertisement permitted final-year students to apply. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the relevant date for eligibility is the date of submission of the application. The proviso to Rule 12 of the Rajasthan Prosecution Subordinate Service Rules, 1978, which earlier allowed final-year students to apply, was deleted in 2002. The press notes merely clarified this position and did not alter eligibility mid-process. The High Court’s approach of preferring an interpretation favouring candidates was rejected when the language was unambiguous.

1. Basic Information of the Judgment

Field Details Case Title Rajasthan Public Service Commission vs. Lavanshu Sankhla & Ors. (with connected matters) Civil Appeal Nos. Arising out of SLP(C) Nos. 32964/2025, 33900/2025, 33945/2025, 33908/2025, 34897/2025, 34899/2025, 38211/2025, 38710/2025 Bench Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta Date of Decision May 4, 2026 Citation 2026 INSC 444 Appeal From Common judgment dated 12.08.2025 of Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur) in D.B. Special Appeal Writ No. 169/2025

2. Legal Framework

Laws/Rules Involved:

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