POOJA LODHI vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

Judgment text excerpt

$~P-2 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Decided on: 30.05.2025 + W.P.(C) 5533/2025 POOJA LODHI .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Dushyant Bhargava, Mr. Pawan Mehta, Ms. Lubna Akhtar, Ms. Qudaija Fatima & Mr. Vikram Singh Nayal, Advocates. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Sahaj Garg, SPC with Mr. Sanjay Pal, GP for UOI. Mr. Amartya Ashish Sharan & Mr. Akash Kishore, Advocates for NESTS. CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE PRATEEK JALAN JUDGMENT 1. The petitioner has filed this petition under Article 226 of the Constitution, challenging a communication dated 24.06.2024 and a speaking order dated 06.02.2025, passed by respondent No. 2 - National Education Society for Tribal Students [“NESTS”], which rejected her candidature for the post of Trained Graduate Teacher [“TGT”] (English). 2. NESTS issued an advertisement in the year 2023, for recruitment of teaching and non-teaching employees for several posts in Eklavya Model Residential Schools, including 671 posts of TGT (English). 3. The dispute relates to interpretation of the “Essential Qualification” for the said post, which is reproduced hereinbelow: Signature Not Verified Signed By:PARUL VASHIST W.P.(C) 5533/2025 Page 1 of 10 Signing Date:30.05.2025 17:14:10 “ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATION: Four years integrated degree course of Regional College of Education of NCERT or other NCTE recognized institution in concerned subject. Or Bachelors Honors Degree in the concerned subject. Candidate should have studied requisite subjects for at least 2 years in the 03 years degree course Or Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University/Institute in concerned subject. The candidate should have studied the requisite subjects in all three years of degree course. xxx xxx xxx Note: xxx xxx xxx b) For TGT (English): English