Principle: Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and prohibits state action that is arbitrary, unreasonable, or lacking an intelligible differentia with a rational nexus to the statutory object.
Facts: A state government passes a recruitment rule granting a 10% bonus mark exclusively to candidates residing in the capital city for state-wide administrative jobs. Is this rule constitutionally valid under Article 14?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. No, the classification lacks an intelligible differentia with a rational nexus to merit

  1. Step 1: Under Article 14 of the Constitution, state classification is valid only if it satisfies two tests: it must be based on an intelligible differentia distinguishing grouped individuals from others, and the differentia must bear a rational nexus to the statutory objective.
  2. Step 2: Conferring a 10% bonus mark solely based on residence in the capital city creates an arbitrary classification that bears no reasonable or rational relation to selecting the most competent administrative officers for state-wide administration.
  3. Step 3: Because the classification lacks a rational nexus to administrative merit, it violates the guarantee of equality under Article 14.
Answer
No, the classification lacks an intelligible differentia having a rational nexus to the objective of selecting the most meritorious administrative officers.

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