SC Rules: Reserved Candidates Can Claim General Seats on Merit

• Supreme Court ruled SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates scoring above General cut-off are eligible for General category government job seats.
• This decision is a major win for meritorious reserved candidates and redefines 'General category' seats.
• The ruling overturned a Rajasthan High Court decision that cited "double benefit" for reserved candidates.
• Justice Dipankar Datta emphasized merit and referred to the 1992 Indra Sawhney judgment, stating 'open' means open for everyone.
• Guidelines: Reserved candidates scoring above General cut-off in written exams are treated as General for interviews; if final score drops, they revert to their reserved category benefits.

Why It Matters: SC affirms merit: Reserved candidates clearing General cut-off can secure unreserved government job seats.