Recognised computer qualifications can satisfy recruitment eligibility when declared equivalent to RS-CIT, preventing rejection of candidature.

The Rajasthan High Court held that, for recruitment to the post of Computer under the Rajasthan Statistical Subordinate Service Rules, 1971, a candidate could not be rejected for lacking the exact RS-CIT certificate where the competent department had already recognised specified computer science degrees and diplomas as equivalent. Relying on the Government communication dated 30.05.2013, the Court found that a degree in Computer Science satisfied the eligibility requirement. The petitioner was therefore eligible for appointment, and the respondents were directed to reconsider the candidature with consequential service benefits, excluding actual salary and running monetary benefits.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner possessed the requisite qualification for appointment to the post of Computer under the Rajasthan Statistical Subordinate Service Rules, 1971 in light of the Government letter treating certain computer-related degrees and diplomas as equivalent to the RS-CIT certificate.

Analysis: The prescribed computer qualification under the recruitment rules was RS-CIT or a certificate declared equivalent by the competent department. The petitioner relied on a Government communication dated 30.05.2013 that recognised degrees and diplomas in Computer Science, Computer Application and Information Technology from universities established by law or recognised institutions as equivalent to the RS-CIT certificate. On that basis, the Court held that the petitioner's degree in Computer Science satisfied the eligibility requirement and that the rejection of candidature was not justified.

Conclusion: The petitioner was held eligible to be considered for appointment to the post of Computer.

Final Conclusion: The writ petition succeeded, and the respondents were directed to reconsider the petitioner's candidature for appointment with consequential service benefits, excluding actual salary and running monetary benefits.

Ratio Decidendi: Where the competent authority has recognised specified higher or equivalent computer qualifications as meeting the recruitment requirement, candidature cannot be rejected for want of the exact certificate originally prescribed.

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