Vijay Kumar & Ors. vs Union Public Service Commission

C. Hari Shankar, J.

After some hearing, Mr. Saaket Jain, learned Counsel for the petitioner restricts his prayer in this writ petition to a request to the Central Administrative Tribunal^{11.“the Tribunal”, hereinafter} to take up OA 2709/2026 at a date earlier than that presently fixed in the OA, which now stands at 14 October 2026.

Accordingly, we dispose of this writ petition by advancing the date of hearing before the Tribunal to 11 September 2026.

We also direct the UPSC to file its response to the OA positively within three weeks from today with advance copy to the learned Counsel for the petitioner who may file its rejoinder thereto, if any at least 48 hours in advance of the next date of hearing.

In order to facilitate hearing of the matter, we also direct the parties to place on record of the Tribunal, short notes of their submissions not exceeding four pages each, with cross reference to relevant PDF page numbers, after exchanging copies with each other at least 48 hours in advance of the next date of hearing.

We request the Tribunal to take up the matter on 11 September 2026. Neither side would be entitled to seek adjournment.

Needless to say, should either party be aggrieved by the order of the Tribunal, the remedies in law would remain reserved.

We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on the merits of the disputes between the parties.

We also clarify that the Tribunal would decide the OA uninfluenced by the order under challenge before us in the present writ petition.

The writ petition is disposed of.