- (1.)In this Writ Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India the six petitioners have challenged the introduction of the criteria of mandatorily qualifying the interview test comprising 25 marks for selection to the post of ASI (Radio Mechanic) and HC (Radio Operator) in Border Security Force Communication, set up in September 2013 through an advertisement. The petitioners also seek quashing of the results of the interview held for the aforesaid post at Delhi Centre at STS BSF, New Delhi from 23.12.2013 to 1.1.2014.
(2.)The facts and circumstances giving rise to the filing of the present petition are that in September 2013, the respondents had issued an advertisement inviting applications from male/female candidates for direct recruitment to the post of ASI (RM), HC (RO) and HC Fitter in BSF Communication. As per the terms and conditions provided in the advertisement, the selection was to be held in two phases; the first phase comprised a written examination of three hours, divided into four parts wherein: Part I comprised of Physics paper for 60 marks; Part II of Mathematics paper for 60 marks; Part III of Chemistry paper for 30 marks and Part IV of English and GK for 50 marks. All the four parts formed part of one OMR based objective type multiple choice paper. The minimum qualifying marks for General and OBC candidates were 38% and for SC/ST candidates were 33%. The second phase of selection process comprised of four steps in the case of ASI (RM) and 5 steps in the case of HC (RO). After qualifying these steps, the candidates had to go through a detailed medical examination to assess their fitness. The said steps are as under:-
i) "Preliminary screening Height and weight

ii) Physical efficiency test 800 m race in 4 mins, 9 ft long jump and 3 ft high jump (3 chances)

iii) Verification of original documents

iv) Dictation (in English) for HC (RO) 10 marks

v) Personal interview 25 marks."

(3.)The final selection of the candidates was to be made on the basis of the overall merit, as secured in the written test, dictation test and interview. No minimum qualifying marks were prescribed for the interview, unlike the qualifying marks allocated for the written examination.