Delhi High Court Rules CLAT-PG Score Not for Public Employment by NHAI

The Delhi High Court ruled that the CLAT-PG score cannot be used as a criterion for public employment by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The petitioner had challenged NHAI’s reliance on the CLAT-PG score for recruitment, arguing that it was meant solely for admission to postgraduate law programs and not as a benchmark for employment. The court agreed, emphasizing that qualifications and selection criteria for government recruitment must align with statutory mandates and intended purposes. Using an academic entrance score for professional employment undermines fairness and the principles of merit-based recruitment. The judgment also highlighted the need for transparency and adherence to prescribed procedures in government employment, ensuring no arbitrary selection processes. By disallowing misuse of the CLAT-PG score, the court reinforced the idea that recruitment mechanisms must be consistent with legislative intent and not repurposed beyond their scope, safeguarding candidates’ rights and maintaining public confidence in institutional fairness.