Telangana HC Hears Pleas Challenging Group-1 Exam Notification

Hyderabad:The Telangana High Court on Friday commenced hearing on petitions seeking a stay of the notification dated February 19, 2024, for filling up of Group-1 posts, which was issued by Telangana State Public Service Commission (TGSPSC).

Justice Pulla Karthik was hearing a petition filed by Satta Shekhar, challenging the action of the TGSPSC in cancelling the Group-1 notification and ordering a re-exam. The petitioner said that this was in violation of the court order of a re-examination of prelims based on the old notification.

Another petition was filed that the previous notification had only six per cent reservations for STs, but the new notification mentioned ten per cent. The addition of 60 vacancies in the notification of 19-02-2024 was also challenged.

Jonnalagadda Sudheer, senior counsel, appearing for the petitioners, contended that the TGPSC should confine the 503 vacancies notified in the first notification dated 26-4-2022 to those candidates who had applied and participated in the first preliminary examination, which was cancelled due to various reasons.

He further challenged the decision of the TGPSC in adding 60 more to the existing 503 vacancies, due to which the competition in the examination would increase and sought a direction to issue a separate notification to fill up these 60 new vacancies. Senior counsel also found fault with the decision of the government in enhancing the reservation for STs from existing six to ten per cent.

S. Rahul Reddy, special counsel, appearing for the state government, informed the court that the TGSPSC was a constitutional body and had the power to cancel the examination, issue a fresh notification and hold the exam. On the aspect of enhancing the reservation from six to 10 per cent for the ST communities, special counsel said that it was the policy of the government.

The addition of 60 vacancies in the latest notification would give more chances to the candidates, he said. The court adjourned the hearing till September 30.