SI Bharti 2021 Cancelled by Rajasthan High Court — Full Update

Quick summary

A division bench of the Rajasthan High Court has cancelled the Sub-Inspector (SI) recruitment process held in 2021 following a long-running paper-leak and collusion investigation. The court found the integrity of the selection process compromised and directed that the recruitment for the posts concerned be scrapped — a decision that affects the provisional empanelment and appointments that followed the 2021 exercise.

What the High Court said (key points from the judgment)

• Integrity breach: The court recorded evidence of a paper-leak and collusion that undermined the fairness of the recruitment process and noted the investigation findings by SIT and police.
• Cancellation of the process: Given the scale and the potential impact on merit, the bench ordered cancellation of the 2021 recruitment for the affected posts.
• Relief to aggrieved candidates: The court accepted petitions by candidates alleging malpractice and held that those applicants’ grievances could not be resolved without scrapping the flawed process.
• Investigative findings highlighted: Reports referenced by the court identified a limited set of implicated people (news coverage cites about 68 involved including trainee SIs), but the bench found the irregularity broad enough to invalidate the entire recruitment.
• Orders on status quo / postings: In earlier hearings the court had directed various interim measures (stay on postings, hold on passing-out ceremonies) — the cancellation is the final, consequential step.

Who this affects

• Selected / appointed candidates from the 2021 batch: Their provisional appointments and trainee postings are directly impacted; some postings were earlier stayed by the court.
• Candidates who appeared in 2021: The cancellation reopens their grievance route (some may be allowed to participate in future recruitments subject to rules).
• General aspirants for upcoming SI recruitments: The state has to design a fresh, transparent process — expected to include tightened security and oversight.

State response & administrative steps

Media reports indicate the state government had earlier argued that only a small number of candidates were involved, and urged against cancelling the whole process. Despite that, the court found the breach serious enough to require scuttling the 2021 recruitment. The government — according to press coverage — may now prepare for a fresh recruitment exercise and has discussed options such as adding vacancies and providing age-relief provisions for affected candidates in the next drive. Political leaders have publicly welcomed the court’s order, calling it a victory for transparency.

What happens next — legal & administrative roadmap

1. Possible Government Appeal: The state may seek to challenge the High Court order in the Supreme Court — if an appeal is filed, the cancellation could be stayed depending on higher-court directions.
2. Fresh recruitment notification: The state administration / RPSC (or the concerned recruiting body) is expected to issue a fresh recruitment notification — with revised procedures, enhanced paper security and independent oversight.
3. Age-relief & eligibility decisions: Several reports indicate the court or government may allow over-age candidates who were barred earlier to participate in the next recruitment; final rules will appear in the new notification.
4. Criminal proceedings / prosecutions: Those identified in the SIT / police investigation may face criminal charges — prosecutions will proceed independently where evidence exists.
5. Compensation / reassessment claims: Affected aspirants can pursue claims for relief (if any) via the court or statutory grievance mechanisms; typically courts have given directions for fair remediation or fresh processes.

When will the next SI exam be held?

At present there is **no official date** for a fresh SI recruitment that directly replaces the cancelled 2021 exercise. The timeline depends on two main factors:

• Legal timeline: If the government appeals, the case could take months to reach a final resolution and may delay fresh recruitment until the higher courts decide or lift stays.
• Administrative readiness: The state must redesign the process, secure funds, and set a new calendar; based on similar past situations, fresh notifications are typically released within 6–12 months of a cancellation — but this is only a rule-of-thumb and not a guarantee.

Candidates should monitor official channels — the RPSC website and the Rajasthan Home/Police department press releases — for authoritative dates.

Practical advice for affected candidates

• Keep documents ready: Maintain academic & identity documents and any application receipts; fresh recruitment may require re-submission or verification.
• Watch for age-relief rules: If the government offers age relaxations, check eligibility carefully and preserve proof of earlier application / age.
• Follow official notices: Only rely on RPSC / state government notifications — avoid unofficial “fast-track” offers or paid intermediaries.
• Legal options: If you were adversely affected and not a party to successful petitions, consider legal advice — some candidates who petitioned obtained the cancellation relief sought.
• Stay calm and prepared: Use the time to strengthen preparation — practice tests, physical standards readiness, and document checks will help when new dates are announced.

FAQ — fast answers

Stay informed — official links & next actions

Sources (selected)

• Times of India — Rajasthan HC cancels 2021 SI recruitment.
• Navbharat Times — HC decision & reaction.
• Free Press Journal — cancellation & background.
• RPSC — official portal (watch for fresh notifications).