Absence of similarly situated comparators defeats claims of discrimination under Article 14.

A claim of discrimination under Article 14 of the Constitution of India fails in limine if the claimant is unable to demonstrate that equals have been treated unequally. The essence of discrimination lies in hostile, preferential, or disparate treatment meted out to individuals who are identical in law and circumstance. Where the State establishes that no appointments have been made under an old, discontinued practice for any candidate belonging to the claimant’s batch or any subsequent batch, the charge of arbitrary discrimination becomes factually and legally untenable. Without demonstrating that a similarly situated peer passing out under the same regulatory regime and time period was directly appointed, a claimant cannot establish a breach of the equality clause, rendering any plea of discrimination wholly unsustainable. (State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors. Vs Bhawana Mishra | 2026 INSC 38).