Court cautions Haryana PSC for changing interview criteria six days before test

The Haryana High Court has issued a directive to the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) to keep the interview eligibility criteria unchanged, after the commission attempted to modify them just six days before the scheduled interview. The court’s order came in response to a petition filed by candidates who argued that the sudden alteration would compromise the fairness of the selection process.

According to the petition, the HPSC announced a revision of the interview criteria only a few days before the interview date, leaving aspirants with insufficient time to adjust their preparation. The applicants contended that such a late change violated principles of natural justice and could disadvantage those who had already complied with the original requirements.

The bench ruled that the commission cannot alter the criteria at such short notice and must adhere to the parameters originally communicated to candidates. It emphasized that procedural consistency is essential to maintain the integrity of the public service recruitment process.

The court’s decision obliges the HPSC to proceed with the upcoming interview using the initially announced criteria, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated on an equal footing. The ruling is expected to set a precedent for future recruitment exercises across the state.