Q. In the context of selection and appointment process for public service jobs, the ‘rules of the game’ refers to:

[A] The informal understanding among senior officials about how positions should be distributed based on historical precedence and bureaucratic norms.

[B] The implicit social conventions and traditional practices that govern professional conduct and hierarchy within public service.

[C] The established eligibility criteria and selection procedure set at the start of recruitment, unchangeable mid-process unless allowed by existing rules or laws.

[D] The unwritten codes of conduct and political influences that guide decision-making in appointment processes across different regions and administrations.

Answer: C
Notes:

Explanation – In the context of the Supreme Court recent judgment, “rules of the game” refers to the criteria and procedures that govern the selection and appointment process for public service jobs. These rules are set at the beginning of the recruitment process and must remain consistent throughout. Once the recruitment process has started (i.e., once an advertisement for applications is issued), these rules cannot be changed midway through the process. The only time changes can be made is if existing laws or rules allow such changes or the job advertisement specifically mentions that changes may occur, as long as these changes are not against existing rules.

Source: The Hindu

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