1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No. 562 of 2026 Decided on: 07.01.2026 Ankita …..Petitioner Versus State of H.P. and others .....Respondents ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Coram Ms. Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua Whether approved for reporting?1 For the Petitioner: Mr. Atul Verma, Advocate. For the Respondents: Mr. Vikrant Thakur, Advocate for respondent No.1. Mr. L.N. Sharma, Additional Advocate General for respondents No.2 & 3. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jyotsna Rewal Dua, Judge Notice. Mr. Vikrant Thakur, learned counsel and Mr. L.N.Sharma, learned Additional Advocate General, appear and waive service of notice on behalf of the respondent No.1 and respondents No. 2 & 3, respectively. 2. Petitioner participated in the selection process conducted by respondent No.1- Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission for the post of Agriculture Development Officer (Trainee) in the respondent- Agriculture Department. Her grievance is that respondents 1Whether reporters of print and electronic media may be allowed to see the order? Yes. 2 had wrongly rejected her candidature for want of valid Other Backward Class (OBC) certificate and thereafter, declared the result of those who qualified in the personality test in terms of press note issued on 29.12.2025. 3. Learned counsel appearing for respondent No.1 has placed on record brief note of the case/office instructions from respondent No.1 and submitted that the name of the petitioner was initially kept in the list of proposed rejected candidates as she had not furnished her latest OBC certificate; However, all such candidates including the petitioner whose names were placed in the list of proposed rejected candidates were given time to remove objections against their candidature; Based upon this, petitioner submitted her latest certificate belonging to OBC within the stipulated period; Accordingly, her candidature was admitted and her name was removed from the list of rejected candidates. Petitioner’s name does not find mention in the final rejected list issued by the respondent- Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. Learned counsel for respondent No.1 submits and office instructions also convey that result of Screening Test and Subject Aptitude Test was declared on 20.12.2025 in which 124 candidates were declared qualified for the 3 personality test and petitioner’s name did not figure in the list of qualified candidates for the personality test in view of her merit position. 4. In view of above, relief prayed for by the petitioner does not survive. Petition, therefore, is dismissed. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, to also stand disposed of. Jyotsna Rewal Dua January 07, 2026 Judge yogesh