Can Ex-Servicemen Access Job Reservations More Than Once?
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Synopsis
The Rajasthan High Court has issued a landmark ruling regarding job reservations for ex-servicemen, emphasizing that these benefits can only be claimed once. This decision has significant implications for the transition of military personnel into civilian roles, ensuring that the reservation system remains intact for those genuinely in need.
Key Takeaways
- Ex-servicemen can only use job reservations once.
- The quota supports initial civilian job transitions.
- Probation does not equate to temporary employment.
- Reservation misuse could disadvantage genuinely unemployed veterans.
- Fairness in employment must be upheld for all.
Jaipur, Sep 23 (NationPress) The Rajasthan High Court has declared that ex-servicemen are eligible to receive job reservation benefits only once. This ruling clarifies that the designated quota is intended to assist them during their initial transition into civilian government positions and not to facilitate ongoing career advancement.
The decision came from a bench led by Justice Anand Sharma, who dismissed a petition submitted by former soldier Narendra Singh.
Singh had obtained a government role as a Village Development Officer (VDO) through the ex-servicemen quota and subsequently sought to apply for the Junior Accountant Recruitment 2023 under the same classification. The petitioner contended that he should be permitted to reapply under the quota since he was on probation, which he argued was a temporary status. He also pointed out that the Junior Accountant position offered a superior pay scale compared to his current job.
Nevertheless, the court dismissed these claims, asserting that probation does not equate to temporary, casual, or contractual employment.
“An employee appointed to a substantive position, even during probation, cannot be classified as temporary or contract-based. His appointment followed the proper procedures,” the court stated.
The bench explicitly noted that the reservation for ex-servicemen is a one-time opportunity designed to aid them in securing initial employment within government services. Once an ex-serviceman is regularly appointed to a position, they lose the right to claim reservation benefits for additional roles.
“The comparative appeal or higher compensation of another position does not grant an individual the right to reuse reservation benefits that have already been utilized,” the court emphasized.
By dismissing the petition, the court highlighted that accepting such arguments could lead to the exploitation of the reservation system, ultimately disadvantaging genuinely unemployed ex-servicemen.
This ruling reinforces the principle that job reservations are intended to support re-employment following military service, rather than granting repeated advantages in competing for government positions.
Point of View
I believe this ruling underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of job reservation systems. It serves to protect the interests of those genuinely in need while ensuring that ex-servicemen can make a successful transition to civilian life without the risk of exploitation of the reservation benefits.
NationPress
23/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Rajasthan High Court rule regarding ex-servicemen job reservations?
The Rajasthan High Court ruled that ex-servicemen are entitled to job reservation benefits only once, clarifying that these benefits are designed to aid their initial transition into civilian employment.
Can an ex-serviceman apply for multiple roles under the reservation quota?
No, once an ex-serviceman is appointed to a government position, they are no longer eligible to claim reservation benefits for other roles.
What was the basis of the court's decision?
The court emphasized that the reservation system is intended to support re-employment after military service and should not be exploited for multiple opportunities.
