Bombay High Court Allows Height Relaxation for Candidates in Central Armed Police Forces Recruitment

Headnote:

The Bombay High Court allowed writ petitions filed by Sushant Bhausaheb Sarode and Sahil Sanjay Patil, aspiring candidates for Constable (GD) posts in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) recruitment 2025. The Court granted benefit of height relaxation by rounding off fractional centimeters below the prescribed height as per Clause 2(d) of the Revised Uniform Guidelines dated 20 May 2015, setting aside their Physical Standard Test rejection.

Background:

The petitioners, both 21-year-old students, qualified the Computer Based Examination and Physical Efficiency Test for CAPFs recruitment but were disqualified at the Physical Standard Test (PST) stage due to their heights being marginally below the prescribed 165 cm requirement—164.7 cms and 164.6 cms respectively. They challenged the rejection slips issued on 23rd and 25th August 2025 on the ground that the Revised Uniform Guidelines mandated rounding off height fractions of 0.5 cm and above to the next higher centimeter. The respondents opposed the petitions, contending that the relaxation applies only at the Detailed Medical Examination stage, not during PST.

Court Observations:

The Court noted the guidelines explicitly require the PST Board to measure physical standards with specific instructions on rounding height fractions. It held that the benefit of rounding should be applied at the PST stage itself. The disqualification based on the marginal shortfall of height was declared illegal and arbitrary. The petitioners were entitled to the relaxation benefit under the said guidelines, enabling them to qualify for the Detailed Medical Examination stage.

Legal Provisions/Principles

1. Revised Uniform Guidelines for Recruitment Medical Examination in CAPFs & Assam Rifles, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, dated 20 May 2015.
2. Principle of giving benefit of doubt and relaxation to eligible candidates on marginal physical standards within prescribed guidelines.
3. Necessity of strict adherence to application of recruitment guidelines at all stages, including PST.

Case Details

Case Title: Sushant Bhausaheb Sarode v. Union of India & Ors. and Sahil Sanjay Patil v. Union of India & Ors.

Writ Petition Nos.: 12664 and 12671 of 2025

Court: High Court of Judicature at Bombay (Civil Appellate Jurisdiction)

Coram: Justice Ravindra V. Ghuge and Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe

Decision Date: 01 October 2025