The Supreme Court has sharply criticized the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) for its inconsistent approach regarding the eligibility of candidates for the Lower Division Clerk (LDC) position in the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), highlighting the confusion caused for over 1,200 hopefuls.
At the heart of the issue is KPSC’s shifting stance on the acceptance of a Diploma in Computer Applications (DCA) as a valid qualification for the LDC role. The controversy dates back to a 2012 notification that set specific educational criteria, including a degree and certification in Data Entry and Office Automation. A candidate with a DCA qualification challenged this, arguing that higher qualifications should also be considered eligible.
Initially, the Kerala High Court sided with the candidate, but this ruling was later overturned on appeal, with the Division Bench declaring that only the prescribed qualifications should apply. Despite this, KPSC revised its rank list, including those with DCA and higher qualifications, sparking further legal action.
The Supreme Court rebuked the KPSC for not adhering to its own guidelines and for failing to conduct a thorough review of the various qualifications, questioning the legitimacy of their decision-making process. Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Sanjay Kumar pointed out that KPSC had earlier taken a firm stance against DCA holders but later abandoned this position without proper justification.
In the Court’s view, the Commission’s flip-flopping caused unnecessary distress to candidates, with no clear evidence that it had properly assessed the qualifications in question. The justices made it clear that such erratic behavior, including misstatements made during proceedings, undermined public trust and transparency in the recruitment process.
The Court emphasized that public institutions like KPSC are tasked with maintaining integrity and clarity, especially when it affects the careers and futures of thousands of candidates. “The Commission must learn from this experience and avoid jeopardizing the aspirations of job seekers,” the justices remarked before dismissing the appeal.
This ruling puts KPSC under the spotlight, urging it to adopt a more consistent and fair approach in its future hiring processes.
