W.P.(C) 8950/2024 $~24 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + W.P.(C) 8950/2024 RAJEEV .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Gourave Kumar Agarwal, Adv. versus UNION OF INDIA THROUGH ITS SECRETARY & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr Nishant Tyagi SPC with Major Kanika Sharma Army CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL KSHETARPAL HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT MAHAJAN O R D E R % 24.04.2026 1. After hearing learned counsel representing the Parties, the following order was passed on 23.04.2026: “1. A perusal of the record reflects that when the Petitioner was 11 years of age, he was given free education and sports training under the Boys Sports Cadet Scheme, 2016. As per the said scheme, the candidate, after availing free education and sports training, is required to join the Indian Army, failing which, the parents of the said candidate are supposed to bear the costs. The Petitioner herein, after attaining the age of 17 ½ years, became eligible for appointment on 05.10.2021. 2. Learned counsel representing the Petitioner submits that the Indian Army is required to recruit the Petitioner without participation in the recruitment process. Learned counsel seeks to rely upon the induction of 06 candidates namely, Mr. Arjun, Mr. Rohit, Mr. Manjeet, Mr. Ravinder and 02 other candidates, to substantiate his claim. 3. On the other hand, Mr. Nishant Kumar Tyagi, learned counsel representing the Respondents submits that the Petitioner has been, at multiple times, offered to join the Indian Army as ‘Agniveer’, however, he has not come forward to participate in the recruitment process. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 27/04/2026 at 13:50:47 W.P.(C) 8950/2024 4. Learned counsel representing the Petitioner also submits that, 02 out of the aforestated 06 candidates have been permitted to join the Indian Army after 05.10.2021 without participating in the recruitment process. 5. At this stage, learned counsel representing the Respondents prays for an adjournment. 6. At his request, list on 24.04.2026 in the Supplementary List.” 2. Today, the learned Counsel for the Respondent has pointed out that the Petitioner wrongly contended that six other candidates (referred to in Para 2 of the order dated 23.04.2026) were inducted without participating in the recruitment rallies. 3. It is disclosed that the aforesaid six candidates were recruited after having participated in the recruitment rallies as and when they became eligible. Though the Petitioner became eligible on 05.10.2021, he participated in the recruitment rallies for ‘Agniveer’ twice but failed and on the third occasion, he himself refused to participate. 4. Learned counsel representing the Petitioner submits that there was delay in calling for the vacancy, at the relevant time and, therefore, direction is required to be issued to appoint the Petitioner in the Indian Army. 5. Firstly, it is evident that all the candidates who underwent free education and sports training as per Boys Sports Cadet Scheme, 2016 have been recruited after participation in the recruitment rallies. Contra-distinguished, as and when the Petitioner became eligible i.e. on 05.10.2021, he participated in the rallies but failed twice and on the third occasion, he refused to participate. 6. Keeping in view the aforesaid position, directions cannot be issued to induct the Petitioner into the Indian Army, without him participating or failing in the recruitment rallies. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 27/04/2026 at 13:50:47 W.P.(C) 8950/2024 7. The petition is disposed of in the aforesaid terms, along with pending application(s), if any. ANIL KSHETARPAL, J AMIT MAHAJAN, J APRIL 24, 2026 “SS” This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 27/04/2026 at 13:50:47