SC: Reserved Candidates Can Claim General Seats on Merit; Rejects 'Double Benefit'

• Supreme Court ruled reserved category candidates (SC, ST, OBC, EWS) can secure general category seats if they achieve the general cut-off based on merit.
• The decision rejects the 'double benefit' argument by the Rajasthan High Court, which had prevented reserved candidates from occupying general seats.
• Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine G. Masih emphasized that 'Open' seats are for everyone, upholding merit.
• Citing the Indira Sawhney judgment (1992), the Court clarified that reservation doesn't bar meritorious reserved candidates from unreserved seats.
• Implementation: Reserved candidates scoring above general cut-off are 'General' for interviews; if final marks drop, they revert to their reserved category.

Why It Matters: Merit-based selection allows reserved candidates to secure general seats, reinforcing 'open' category for all.