Dehradun: In a significant development, the Uttarakhand High Court has issued an interim order in favor of Anupriya Rai, a Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2024 candidate from Champawat, who was denied selection for the Indian Police Service (IPS) for allegedly falling 3 centimeters short of the minimum height requirement.
The court has issued notices to the Union Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Medical Board, giving the young aspirant renewed hope of achieving her dream.
Anupriya Rai’s UPSC Journey and Setback
Ms Anupriya secured an impressive All India Rank 189 in CSE 2024. Despite her excellent performance, her selection for the prestigious IPS was blocked due to not meeting the minimum qualifying height of 150 cm, falling short by 3 cm.
Rai hails from the hilly Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, where the population is traditionally shorter in stature. She argued that she should be eligible for a height relaxation of 5 cm, similar to candidates from other hilly or North-Eastern regions such as Gorkhas, Assamese, and Nagaland natives.
CAT Dismissal: A Major Hurdle
Initially, Ms Anupriya approached the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) seeking relief. However, her petition was dismissed on November 13, 2025. The tribunal reasoned that while the height relaxation is available to candidates from hilly regions, it applies only to reserved category candidates. Being an unreserved candidate, Anupriya did not qualify for this exemption, according to CAT.
This decision forced her to escalate the matter to the Uttarakhand High Court, challenging the interpretation of Rule 8(3) of the regulations related to medical examinations for CSE candidates.
High Court Interim Order: A Positive Development
On Saturday, the Uttarakhand High Court issued an interim order favoring Anupriya Rai. Key points from the interim order include –
- The court has directed that one IPS post from CSE 2024 be kept vacant until the next hearing to protect Anupriya’s rights.
- The court recognized the argument that candidates from the Kumaon region should be considered for height relaxation due to traditional shorter stature.
- The next hearing has been scheduled for February 11, 2026.
The bench, comprising Justices Ravindra Maithani and Alok Maharshi, emphasized the importance of ensuring justice and fair interpretation of rules in the selection process.
Notice to Medical Board and Government
The High Court also issued a notice to the chairman of the Medical Board of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital, Delhi, which had earlier declared Anupriya ineligible for IPS and other technical services.
The court has asked all defendants, including the Union Government and Ministry of Home Affairs, to file counter-affidavits within four weeks, allowing Anupriya to pursue her claim through legal channels.
Arguments and Legal Standpoint
Ms Anupriya’s counsel contended that Rule 8(3) of the medical examination regulations for CSE 2024 had been misinterpreted, resulting in the denial of her selection. The interim order by the High Court has, at least temporarily, safeguarded her claim to the IPS post while legal proceedings continue.
This case has sparked discussions on whether height criteria should be strictly applied to unreserved candidates from hilly regions, given their unique demographic characteristics.
A Ray of Hope for Aspirants
The Uttarakhand High Court’s intervention provides hope to Anupriya Rai and could have broader implications for future candidates from hilly regions facing similar hurdles. Observers note that the case could set a precedent in interpreting medical and eligibility rules more equitably.
