Binding Nature of Selection Criteria Advertised by Public Commissions

The terms and conditions set forth in a recruitment advertisement and its general guidelines constitute the binding framework for both the selection authority and the participating candidates. When a Public Service Commission explicitly lays down minimum qualifying marks and evaluation modes, it is bound to adhere strictly to those advertised parameters. Candidates who fail to meet the mandatory benchmark established in the advertisement cannot claim any right to recommendation or appointment. Deviating from advertised criteria mid-way through a selection process or applying unadvertised criteria post-hoc violates Article 14 and Article 16 of the Constitution. The transparency and fairness of public employment depend on holding all participants to the exact standards published prior to the initiation of the test. A candidate who fails to secure the minimum qualifying interview score specified in the advertisement cannot demand appointment by seeking refuge under external guidelines. Public service commissions must execute recruitment strictly in alignment with the advertised rules to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants. (Gujarat Public Service Commission v. Gnaneshwary Dushyantkumar Shah & Ors. | 2026 INSC 70)