Delhi High Court invalidates NHAI’s rule using CLAT-PG scores as sole basis for hiring lawyers, calling it unconstitutional.

The Delhi High Court has struck down a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) rule that made CLAT-PG scores the sole basis for hiring lawyers, calling it arbitrary and unconstitutional. The court, in a ruling led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, said CLAT-PG, designed for LL.M. admissions, was not suited to assess professional legal skills needed for public sector jobs. The decision, based on a Public Interest Litigation by advocate Shannu Baghel, emphasized that relying solely on the exam excluded experienced lawyers and violated principles of equality and fair treatment under Articles 14 and 16. The court found no rational link between the academic nature of the test and the practical demands of legal work at NHAI. While NHAI had argued the process was transparent, the court rejected this, stating recruitment must consider relevant professional qualifications and experience. The ruling ensures future hiring will not depend exclusively on a law school entrance exam.