New Delhi: In a significant ruling on government recruitment norms, the Supreme Court of India has clarified that possessing a higher qualification does not automatically make a candidate eligible for appointment if they do not meet the minimum qualification prescribed under the recruitment rules.
The observation came in 2026 INSC 68, arising out of SLP (C) No. 12236 of 2025 & Ors., titled “MD. Firoz Mansuri & Ors. vs The State of Bihar & ors”
The matter related to recruitment to the post of Pharmacist (basic category) in Bihar, where candidates holding B.Pharma/M.Pharma degrees claimed that they should be treated as eligible even though the rules clearly prescribed Diploma in Pharmacy as the essential minimum requirement.
The Supreme Court emphasized that recruitment authorities are strictly bound by service rules. If the notified eligibility conditions require a Diploma, then candidates holding a Degree cannot claim eligibility unless they also possess the minimum required Diploma qualification.
The Court reaffirmed that minimum eligibility conditions cannot be diluted or altered midway, and the selection must be conducted strictly as per the notified recruitment rules.
The verdict is expected to have wider implications across government recruitments, especially in cases where degree-holders apply for diploma-based posts assuming they will be automatically considered due to their higher education.
The decision sends a strong message that minimum criteria are compulsory and must be fulfilled before any candidate can claim a right to be considered for a government post.
Degree Holders Not Eligible If Diploma Is Minimum Qualification”: Supreme Court Reaffirms Minimum Criteria Mandatory for Government Posts
