In a recent hearing dated August 1, 2025, the Supreme Court of India took up a Special Leave Petition (SLP Civil Diary No. 28783/2025) filed by P. Ashok Kumar against the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC). The case arises from a judgment by the Madras High Court dated February 20, 2025, in Writ Appeal No. 2462/2022.
“The question raised for our consideration is whether the height criteria for general candidates including Scheduled Castes candidates could be different from the one fixed for tribal/hill domicile candidates.”- Supreme Court Bench
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The core issue revolves around the validity of different physical standards, especially height criteria, for candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and those from tribal/hill areas in the recruitment process by ONGC.
The matter was heard by a division bench comprising:
The petitioner, P. Ashok Kumar, was represented by:
- Ms. Haripriya Padmanaban, Senior Advocate
- Mr. S. Prabu Ramasubramanian, Advocate
- Mr. Madhav Gupta, Advocate
- Mr. Manoj Kumar A., Advocate
- Mr. Vairawan A.S., Advocate-on-Record (AOR)
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“Delay in refiling is condoned.”- Supreme Court Order
The Court condoned the delay in refiling the petition, accepting the explanation provided for curing the defects in the documents.
After preliminary hearing, the Supreme Court issued a notice to ONGC and other respondents. The notice is returnable within four weeks, meaning the respondents must file their replies within that time.
This move indicates the Court's interest in examining the constitutionality and fairness of maintaining different physical standards, particularly when it concerns affirmative action and equal opportunity principles.
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This case may set a precedent for how physical eligibility standards are framed and applied across caste and tribal classifications, especially in public sector recruitments. The SC’s scrutiny of this differentiation could lead to a re-examination of norms that may unintentionally discriminate within disadvantaged groups.
The matter is likely to be heard in detail after the respondents file their replies. The outcome will be crucial for recruitment policies not just in ONGC, but possibly across other government and PSU positions where such differentiations exist.
Case Title: P. Ashok Kumar vs ONGC & Anr.
Case Type: Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No. 28783/2025
Date of Order: August 1, 2025