Ashok Kumar Yadav vs. State of Haryana

The case of Ashok Kumar Yadav addresses the constitutional validity of the recruitment process conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC), specifically regarding personal bias and the arbitrary weightage of oral interviews. Candidates challenged the selection process after high-scoring written exam performers were displaced by those with high viva voce marks, which accounted for an excessive 33.3% of the total score for ex-servicemen. The Apex court by applying Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, ruled that while interviews are essential for assessing personality, such high weightage is disproportionate and undermines objective merit. By citing the case of A.K. Kraipak, the Apex court emphasized the Doctrine of Necessity, mandating that board members recuse themselves if relatives are appearing to avoid a conflict of interest. The judgment established a vital precedent in Indian administrative law by balancing judicial restraint with the need for transparency, fairness, and the prevention of nepotism in public employment.