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As no women qualified, Punjab and Haryana HC orders 461 reserved fireman posts in Punjab to be given to men

The Punjab and Haryana High Court noted that vacancies reserved for women cannot be carried forward if there are no eligible female candidates.

4 min readChandigarhJan 15, 2026 03:30 PM IST

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that “none of the female candidates could qualify the PMT (physical measurement tests) causing all the posts reserved for women to remain vacant”. (File Photo)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court last month directed Punjab authorities to fill hundreds of vacant fireman posts, originally reserved for women, by appointing eligible male candidates in accordance with reservation rules.

Justice Harpreet Singh Brar passed this order following a 2023 recruitment drive in which no female candidate cleared the physical measurement and efficiency test, leaving all 461 posts reserved for women vacant.

The recruitment was initiated through Advertisement No. 1 of 2023 dated January 28, 2023, for 991 posts of firemen and driver-operators in municipal councils, corporations and panchayats of Punjab. Of these, 461 posts were earmarked for women. While educational qualifications were common for both men and women, physical standards differed.

Male candidates were required to meet height, chest, and eyesight norms and to clear three physical fitness tests, including running with a 60 kg weight, ladder lifting, and rope climbing. Women were required to meet only height and eyesight standards and were exempt from the fitness tests.

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The court noted that 1,875 women appeared for the physical test, but “none of them were able to clear the same”. Results declared on February 4, 2024, showed that not a single female candidate had qualified, leaving all women-reserved posts unfilled.

The petition was filed by male candidates who had cleared the physical tests and document verification. Senior Advocate Vikas Chatrath argued that under Rule 5(3) of the Punjab Civil Services (Reservation of Posts for Women) Rules, 2020, vacancies reserved for women that remain unfilled due to non-availability of eligible candidates must be filled from other candidates of the same vertical category.

An earlier representation by the petitioners was rejected on June 28, 2024, as a related case, Jasdeep Kaur and others versus State of Punjab and others, was pending before a division bench. That case sought relaxation of physical standards for women candidates.

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The division bench dismissed the petitions on September 10, 2025, holding that challenges to the rules had been raised too late, after participation in the selection process. While the bench left it open for the state to consider relaxation in future recruitments, it clarified that its observations “shall not be construed as a direction to the State to relax the Rules”.

In the present case, Justice Brar observed that “none of the female candidates could qualify the PMT (physical measurement tests) causing all the posts reserved for women to remain vacant”. The court underlined that Rule 5(3) “specifically forbids carrying forward of the unoccupied vacancies for the lack of eligible female candidates” and mandates that such posts be filled from eligible male candidates in line with vertical reservation.

‘Next eligible meritorious candidate’

The court also noted that the petitioners’ claim had not been examined on the merits earlier due to the pending case. It held that “since vacant posts have presented themselves at the end of the recruitment exercise, the same must be filled with the next eligible meritorious candidate, in absence of any eligible female candidates”.

Justice Brar relied on a 2009 division bench ruling in Gajraj Singh versus State of Haryana, which held that vacancies should be filled from the merit list if eligible candidates are available. The court also referred to its own 2025 decision in Gagandeep Singh and others versus State of Punjab and others, where similar directions were issued for filling vacant women-reserved posts.

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The writ petition was disposed of with a direction to the competent authority “to fill the remaining vacant posts in accordance with the Rules of 2020”. The court did not fix a timeline for the exercise.

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