Supreme Court Questions Different Height Rules for SC and Tribal Candidates in ONGC Case

The Supreme Court has issued a notice challenging ONGC’s relaxed height norms for tribal and hilly area candidates in their recruitment process for Junior Fire Supervisor posts.

The petitioner, P. Ashok Kumar, argued that his candidature was unfairly rejected, despite being taller than several selected candidates who benefited from the relaxed criteria.

He referred to a government circular prescribing 165 cm as the minimum height for fire service training. Both the Madras High Court and Division Bench had dismissed his challenge, citing the clear eligibility rules in ONGC’s notification.

The Supreme Court has now sought responses from ONGC within four weeks.