Hyderabad: The Supreme Court has upheld the four-year study requirement for Telangana local status and local reservation benefits. The court said authorities must follow the Presidential Orders governing the issue.
A bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha dismissed a petition filed by Bellam Ankitha. She had challenged the four-year education requirement and argued that the rule operated arbitrarily.
The court rejected those arguments and said the constitutionally issued Presidential Orders govern local-status determination. The ruling also reaffirmed the eligibility conditions for candidates seeking local reservation benefits.
Four-year study rule governs Telangana local status
The bench reaffirmed an earlier ruling by a bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai on the same issue. The court said the applicable rules determine eligibility for local status and reservation benefits.
Under those rules, students must complete the required period of education in Telangana to qualify. Only candidates meeting the conditions can claim local reservation benefits.
The decision came while the court considered Bellam Ankitha’s petition against the four-year education requirement. After examining the arguments, the bench dismissed the petition.
The court’s order again placed the Presidential Orders at the centre of local-status determination. The four-year study requirement therefore remained applicable to candidates seeking local reservation benefits.