The Supreme Court has asked the Punjab & Haryana High Court to sympathetically consider relaxing the 45% minimum marks requirement for SC candidates in the recruitment of Civil Judge (Junior Division) conducted by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC). Key Developments Petitioner Diksha Kalson , an SC candidate, missed the cut‑off of 495 marks by just 1.9 marks (scored 493.10/1100) in the January 2024 exam. She alleged that a correct answer in the English paper was awarded zero marks, affecting her total. After her writ petition was dismissed by the High Court on the basis of Clause 33 , she approached the Supreme Court via a Special Leave Petition . The bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, found no fault with Clause 33 but noted that only 9 SC candidates were recommended against 39 total vacancies . The Court directed that any candidate placed higher than Kalson on the merit list may file a representation to the administrative side of the High Court seeking relaxation of the minimum 45% marks condition . Important Facts Exam advertised in January 2024 by HPSC for 39 Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts. SC reservation quota: 30 vacancies remain unfilled. Petitioner’s representation was dismissed on procedural grounds, prompting Supreme Court intervention. The Supreme Court’s order is a proc