By Firstdespatch Desk May 02, 2026
Agartala, May 2 (FD) The High Court of Tripura has directed the Joint Recruitment Board of Tripura (JRBT) to prepare and publish fresh merit-based selection lists for Group-C and Group-D posts within four months.
The order was passed by Justice S. Datta Purkayastha while disposing of multiple writ petitions alleging serious irregularities in the recruitment process for Multi Tasking Staff (Group-D) and various Group-C posts.
The court heard together WP(C) Nos. 694, 695, 784, and 785 of 2024, filed by Joyjit Chowdhury, Ranjit Debnath, Santi Prasad Das, and Rajesh Chakraborty. The petitioners contended that despite securing higher marks, they were denied selection, while candidates with lower scores were selected under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category.
Representing the petitioners, Advocate Arijit Bhaumik argued that the JRBT failed to properly implement horizontal reservation for persons with disabilities. Instead, the board allegedly compartmentalised the PwBD quota within SC, ST, and UR categories prior to preparing the merit list, which the petitioners claimed was contrary to established norms.
Additional Government Advocates Mangal Debbarma and D. Sarma appeared for the State and defended the recruitment process.
In its judgment, the High Court referred to key Supreme Court rulings, including Indra Sawhney vs Union of India, Rajesh Kumar Daria vs Rajasthan Public Service Commission, and Rekha Sharma vs Rajasthan High Court, emphasising that reservation for persons with disabilities is horizontal in nature and must be implemented through an interlocking mechanism across all categories.
The court observed that several higher-scoring candidates were excluded due to the improper earmarking of disability quota posts within specific vertical categories. It held that such compartmentalisation violated legal principles and deprived meritorious candidates of fair selection.
Accordingly, the court directed the authorities to prepare fresh selection lists for Group-D posts strictly based on merit among PwBD candidates, followed by their adjustment within respective UR, SC, and ST categories as per their social classification. Similar directions were issued for Group-C posts, including Lower Division Clerk (LDC), Agriculture Assistant, Junior Operator (Pump), and Junior Multi Tasking Operator (Un-common).
The court also instructed the State government to determine disability reservation separately for each cadre and establishment in line with Section 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
It further clarified that if any currently appointed candidate is found ineligible after the revision of merit lists, the State would be free to cancel such appointments following due legal procedure.
Justice Purkayastha directed that the entire process, including fresh advertisements and publication of revised merit lists, must be completed within four months from the receipt of the order. FD JK