IN THE HIGH COURT OF ORISSA AT CUTTACK W.P.(C) Nos.18789 & 18435 of 2026 Sachhida Nanda …. Petitioner Mr. P.K. Mohapatra, Adv. Mr. R. Roy, Adv. -versus- State of Odisha & Others …. Opp. Parties Mr. S.P. Das, ASC Mr. B.K. Dash, Sr.Adv. (for OPTCL) COROM: THE HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE BIRAJA PRASANNA SATAPATHY Order No ORDER 01.07.2026 2. 1. This matter is taken up through Hybrid Mode. 2. Heard learned counsel for the Petitioners in both the Writ Petitions, Mr. S.P. Das, learned Addl. Standing Counsel for the State-Opp. Parties and Mr. B.K. Dash, learned Sr. Counsel appearing for OPTCL. 3. It is contended that without following the communication issued by the Government in the Public Enterprises Department on 12.03.2026, the Corporation since has not enhanced the upper age limit to 42 years, Petitioners have been deprived to get the benefit of selection and appointment, pursuant to the advertisement issued by the Corporation on 19.05.2026 for recruitment to the post of Management Trainee (Electrical) through GATE, 2026. p. 2 p. 2 3.1. It is contended that since Government in the P.E. Department has already taken a decision and has requested all the Corporations of the State to enhance the upper age limit to 42 years at entry level for recruitment, without following the said communication so issued on 12.03.2026, the advertisement dt.19.05.2026 since has been issued, Petitioners being prejudiced, are before this court. It is however fairly contended that similar recruitment is going on and being undertaken by the Corporation every year starting from the year 2020. 3.2. It is further contended that since without following the communication issued by the Government in the P.E Department, the upper age limit has been fixed at 32 years and Petitioners have been deprived to make the application, appropriate direction be issued to entertain the application, to be submitted by the Petitioners and allow them to participate in the selection process. 4. Mr. B.K. Dash, learned Sr. Counsel appearing for the Corporation on the other hand contended that since the last date for making the application pursuant to the advertisement dtd.19.05.2026 was 25.06.2026 and the last date is already over, Petitioners cannot be allowed to make their application and participate in the selection process. It is however fairly contended that if necessary application will be made before the Corporation by the Petitioners seeking enhancement of the upper age limit p. 3 p. 3 to 42 years, in terms of letter dt.12.03.2026, appropriate decision will be taken on the same and if the Corporation decides to enhance the upper age limit to 42 years, Petitioners can participate in the next recruitment. 4.1. It is also contended that since the Corporation is conducting the recruitment every year starting from the year 2020, which is not disputed, Petitioners are not eligible and entitled to get the benefit of age relaxation, being over aged. 5. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and considering the submission made and since it is not disputed that the last date of making the application pursuant to the advertisement dt.19.05.2025 is already over and it is also not disputed that the Corporation is conducting recruitment every year starting from the year 2020 and Petitioners never availed the opportunity to participate, this Court while not inclined to entertain the Writ Petition with the prayer as made, dispose of the same by permitting the Petitioners to make an appropriate application seeking enhancement of the upper age limit to 42 years, in terms of letter dt.12.03.2026 so issued by the Government in the P.E. Deptt., so that they can avail the benefit in subsequent recruitment to be made by the Corporation. 5.1. It is observed that if any such application will be moved within a period of two (2) weeks hence, Opp. p. 4 p. 4 Party No.2 will take a lawful decision on the same within a period of six (6)weeks from the date of receipt of such application. On consideration, if the Corporation decides to extend the upper age limit to 42 years in terms of letter dt.12.03.2026, Petitioners can very well participate in the next recruitment. 6. Both the Writ Petitions accordingly stand disposed of. Photocopy of the order be placed in the connected case. (Biraja Prasanna Satapathy) Judge sangita