SUKHWINDER KUMAR vs STATE OF PUNJAB & ORS

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the requirement of passing the Senior Secondary Examination for the appointment of Medical Laboratory Technicians under the Punjab Health and Family Welfare Technical (Group-C) Service Rules, 2007 was unjustified. The Court noted that the Appellants, who were appointed as Lab Technicians on a contract basis, had completed their diploma based on matriculation, which was the qualification prescribed at the time of their admission. The Court directed that the Appellants be considered for appointment despite not meeting the Senior Secondary qualification, reinforcing the principle of fair recruitment practices.