Allahabad High Court Halts APO Main Results Amid Controversy

The Allahabad High Court has intervened in the release of the Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) Main examination results, directing the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission to withhold them until a verdict is reached. This decision stems from a petition concerning the exclusion of certain OBC candidates who scored above the General category cutoff. The court's ruling raises significant questions about merit inclusion and reservation policies, highlighting the ongoing debate over equal opportunity in government recruitment. Stay tuned for further developments on this critical issue.

By Ambika Singh Oct 1, 2026, 10:44 IST

Update on APO Main Results

Significant Development for APO Candidates: Candidates who participated in the Assistant Prosecution Officer (APO) recruitment exam in Uttar Pradesh have received crucial news. The Allahabad High Court has instructed the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) to withhold the announcement of the APO Main examination results until the court reaches a decision. Additionally, the court has also put a hold on the final list for PCS-2025. This article will delve into the reasons behind this judicial ruling.

Background of the Case

Understanding the Issue:

The core of this matter revolves around candidates from the 'Meritorious Reserved Category' (MRC). Petitioners claim that certain candidates from the OBC category, who achieved scores surpassing the cutoff for the General (Unreserved/UR) category, were not considered for inclusion in the General category. This prompted a petition to be filed in the High Court.

Petition Details

Who Initiated the Petition?

A bench led by Justice Manish Kumar Nigam reviewed petitions concerning UP PCS-2024, PCS-2025, and APO-2025. The petitions were submitted by candidates such as Pankaj Verma and others, along with petitioners including Sanjay Kumar and others.

During the proceedings, the petitioners questioned why a reserved category candidate, who scores at or above the General category cutoff without utilizing any relaxation or reservation benefits, is excluded from the open or unreserved category. They argued that this situation raises concerns regarding the constitutional principles of equal opportunity and fairness.

Legal Arguments Presented

Constitutional Concerns:

The attorneys representing the petitioners contended that omitting such deserving reserved category candidates from the open merit list breaches reservation regulations and contradicts the essence of the Constitution. They also highlighted potential irregularities in Section 3(6) of the UP Public Services (Reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes) Act, 1994, the Office Memorandum dated January 9, 2020, and the stipulations of the PCS-2025 advertisement.

During the hearing, the Court was informed that the APO Mains examination had been completed and that results could be announced shortly. As a result, the Court mandated that the Commission refrain from releasing the results until a ruling is made.