Administrative character and dual purpose of the post-based reservation roster

A reservation register or roster, maintained in accordance with administrative guidelines such as the model rosters framed pursuant to the post-based quota jurisprudence, operates strictly as an administrative tool rather than a mechanism for determining merit or executing appointments during active selection. The roster has a two-fold function: first, to continuously monitor and verify that at any given point in time the aggregate representation of reserved category employees in a cadre does not exceed the lawful statutory or constitutional quota; and second, to identify and determine the precise number of vacancies in each category that are available to be advertised for future recruitments. It is designed to track long-term cadre composition and representation across intervals rather than to serve as an operational filter or parallel selection device to displace candidates who legitimately earn selection to open posts on their individual merits. (Airport Authority of India & Ors. Vs Sham Krishna B & Ors. | 2026 INSC 69)