Exclusion of unselected general candidates scoring below the open cut-off

An unreserved candidate who obtains an aggregate score lower than the minimum qualifying benchmark or cut-off marks of the last candidate selected under the unreserved merit quota possesses no legally enforceable right to be appointed against notified vacancies. The placement of such an unselected candidate on an administrative panel or waiting list does not confer an indefeasible right to public employment once all notified unreserved posts have been exhaustively filled by higher-scoring candidates, including meritorious reserved candidates who competed on equal terms. The High Court commits a jurisdictional error by issuing a mandamus directing the appointment of such a lower-ranked candidate to an artificially preserved vacancy, as doing so disregards relative merit and arbitrarily bypasses superior contenders. (Airport Authority of India & Ors. Vs Sham Krishna B & Ors. | 2026 INSC 69)