Authority: High Court of Judicature at Patna
Order Date: 07-07-2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Nisheeth Chandrachoor, resident of Bettiah, West Champaran, filed a writ petition challenging a Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) notification dated 05.05.2026.
- Respondents: State of Bihar (Chief Secretary, Principal Secretaries of General Administration and Social Welfare), Bihar Public Service Commission (Secretary, Examination Controller) and associated officials.
- The impugned notification reserved all 101 Sub‑Divisional Protection Officer (SDPO) posts exclusively for women candidates.
- Petitioner contended that the 100% reservation is unconstitutional, arbitrary, and violates Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution of India, and is ultra vires the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, which only mandates a preference for women under Section 8, not exclusive reservation.
- Respondents argued that the notification is issued in accordance with the Bihar Protection Service (Recruitment and Service Conditions) Rules, 2025, specifically Rule 4(2), which authorises exclusive reservation for women, and that the validity of this rule has not been challenged in the present petition.
Final Outcome
- The Court found that the notification conforms to the provisions of the Rules 2025 and therefore declined to interfere under its writ jurisdiction.
- The writ petition was disposed of, with the Court granting the petitioner liberty to challenge the validity of Rule 4(2) of the Rules, 2025, in a separate proceeding if desired.
Topics: Reservation Policy, Gender Equality, Public Service Recruitment