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ITI, not engineering, mandatory for Punjab lineman jobs, rules high court

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar ruled that the employer is always the best judge to assess the suitability of a candidate and lay down eligibility criteria for a particular post.

3 min readChandigarhJan 23, 2026 03:05 PM IST

The court noted that the advertisement clearly stipulated Punjabi at matriculation level along with a full-time ITI certificate in the electrician or wireman trade. (Source: File)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed a batch of writ petitions challenging Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited’s (PSTCL’s) recruitment advertisement that restricts eligibility for certain technical posts to candidates holding ITI qualifications.

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar upheld PSTCL’s requirement of a full-time, regular ITI certificate in the electrician or wireman trade from a recognised institution for recruitment to 350 assistant lineman and 150 assistant sub-station attendant posts, holding that the condition does not violate constitutional guarantees.

The petitions were filed by engineering graduates who sought to quash the advertisement, CRA-11/2021 dated May 18, 2021, to the extent that it barred degree and diploma holders in electrical engineering from applying. They contended that higher qualifications in the same field ought to be treated as sufficient and argued that the online application portal rejected their forms as it did not provide an option other than a two-year ITI course.

Appearing for the petitioners, counsel argued that the exclusion of engineering graduates was arbitrary and violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, relying on several Supreme Court and High Court judgments to contend that a higher qualification could not be excluded where the minimum qualification was met.

PSTCL, however, maintained that an employer is entitled to prescribe eligibility conditions based on the nature of duties involved. Its counsel argued that the recruitment advertisement did not provide for any equivalence between ITI certification and engineering degrees and that courts could not read such equivalence into the terms of recruitment.

Agreeing with the respondent, the court noted that the advertisement clearly stipulated Punjabi at matriculation level along with a full-time ITI certificate in the electrician or wireman trade. It held that in the absence of statutory rules or expert determination recognising equivalence, the court could not substitute its own assessment.

‘Can’t step into shoes of employer’

Justice Brar said the very nomenclature of ITI certification and diploma or degree courses in electrical engineering indicated that their syllabi and training focus were distinct, adding that ITI courses are designed to impart hands-on skills directly relevant to the posts in question.

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He added, “.. it is settled law that the employer is always the best judge to assess suitability of a candidate and lay down eligibility criteria for a particular post. As such, when the advertisement qua the same is clear and within the legal framework, this Court cannot step into the shoes of the employer or a domain expert and expand the scope of its jurisdiction under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to declare equivalence of an ITI certificate in the trade of ElectricianWireman to diplomas/degrees in Engineering.”

The court concluded that the condition requiring an ITI certificate for appointment as an assistant lineman or assistant sub-station attendant did not infringe the rights of the petitioners and dismissed all the petitions.

The petitioners were represented by senior advocates D S Patwalia and Vikas Chatrath, among others.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More