SC Upholds Merit in Reservation: Reserved Candidates Can Secure General Seats

• Supreme Court ruled General Category is merit-based, not reserved for any caste, open to all based on merit.
• Reserved candidates (SC, ST, OBC, EWS) scoring above general cut-off without concessions will be placed in general seats.
• Court rejected the 'double benefit' argument, stating it violates Articles 14 and 16 (Right to Equality).
• Decision originated from a Rajasthan High Court recruitment case, impacting government jobs nationwide.
• Strengthens merit-based system, offering more opportunities for meritorious reserved candidates while ensuring fair play.

Why It Matters: Merit, not caste, now determines general category entry for reserved candidates in government jobs.