Jaipur: In a rare move, the Rajasthan SI Recruitment row saw urgent intervention as the Supreme Court held a special sitting on Good Friday to modify its earlier order. The case relates to the Rajasthan Sub-Inspector (SI) and Platoon Commander Recruitment Examination 2025. Initially, the court had allowed several candidates to appear provisionally. However, after fresh submissions, the apex court significantly narrowed the relief.
This development has major implications for thousands of aspirants and highlights the court’s focus on fairness, administrative feasibility, and exam integrity.
Details of Rajasthan SI Recruitment Row
The Supreme Court conducted a special Good Friday sitting to urgently reconsider its earlier order passed just a day before.
- The earlier order had allowed the petitioner and similarly placed candidates to appear in the SI exam.
- However, concerns were raised about the practical impact and fairness of this decision.
- The court found it necessary to review and modify the order immediately before the exam date.
This shows the urgency of the matter, as the exam was scheduled within days.
Supreme Court Directives on Rajasthan SI Recruitment Row
After reviewing the case, the Supreme Court made a major change:
- Relief restricted to only one candidate (Suraj Mal Meena)
- Earlier benefit to hundreds of candidates was withdrawn
- Other candidates can approach the Rajasthan High Court for relief
The court clarified that the earlier order would now apply only to the original petitioner.
Background of Rajasthan SI Recruitment Row
The issue has its roots in the 2021 Rajasthan SI recruitment exam:
- The exam results were challenged due to a paper leak scandal
- The Rajasthan High Court ordered cancellation of the recruitment
- Appeals and legal battles followed across courts
- Meanwhile, a new recruitment notification (2025) was released
Many candidates from 2021 became over-age, leading to demands for age relaxation and permission to reappear.
Why Did the Court Change Its Earlier Order?
The decision was influenced by strong objections from the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC):
- Around 7.7 lakh candidates are already appearing in the exam
- The exam is being held across 1,100+ centres in 41 cities
- Allowing large numbers of additional candidates could
- disrupt logistics
- create security risks
- affect fairness
The court agreed that expanding eligibility at the last moment could disturb the entire examination system.
What Happens to Other Candidates?
- Only the petitioner is allowed to appear in the exam
- Other candidates are free to approach the Rajasthan High Court
- Final outcomes will depend on pending High Court decisions
The Supreme Court also clarified that its order will not affect ongoing cases in lower courts.
Rajasthan SI Recruitment Row: Exam Schedule Remains Unchanged
Despite the legal developments:
- The Rajasthan SI Exam will be held as scheduled
- Dates: April 5 and April 6, 2026
- Recruitment aims to fill over 1,000 posts
The court refused to delay the exam to avoid disruption for lakhs of candidates.
