Higher qualifications cannot always be considered for lower eligibility posts: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a person who has higher qualifications cannot be selected for a job that is clearly meant for candidates with lower qualifications.

The case arose out of an appointment of a temporary bank attendant. It was specifically stipulated that the candidate should possess the qualification of having passed the 8th standard but should not have passed the 12th standard or acquired any higher qualification.

However, in the application submitted, he disclosed only that he had passed the 10th standard, despite admittedly being a graduate.

“Public employment must be made available to all eligible candidates in accordance with the prescribed qualifications.” the Supreme Court said, setting aside the Madras High Court ruling that reinstated the employee.

The Division Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice R. Mahadevan pointed out that the employer’s need to have the right people at the right place, and not always the higher qualified, has to be acknowledged.

“We know of decisions holding that over-qualification cannot be a disqualification since such an approach amounts to discouraging the acquisition of qualifications on the one hand and on the other, such an approach could be seen as arbitrary, discriminatory and not in national interest. However, this principle cannot be put in a straitjacket imposing rigid or inflexible rules or norms.” the Court observed.

The Court noted that the rationale behind prescribing an upper limit on qualifications is both reasonable and equitable, namely, to provide employment opportunities to individuals who, due to life’s circumstances, could not pursue higher education.

The Court observed that there can be no universally accepted rule that a higher-qualified candidate must always be preferred over a candidate who meets the essential qualifications required for the post.