From Indiatimes · TOI Lifestyle Desk · · 3m
Rekha Sharma's Supreme Court Disability Dispute
Rekha Sharma, a civil judge candidate with 40% disability, faces Supreme Court intervention after medical board reduces her disability to 30%.
In brief
Rekha Sharma, a civil judge candidate with 40% disability, faces Supreme Court intervention after medical board reduces her disability to 30%. Rekha Sharma's Supreme Court appointment as civil judge in Rajasthan was reversed after medical board cut her disability from 40% to 30%. Originally reported by Indiatimes.
Rekha Sharma's Supreme Court Appointment
Rekha Sharma won a Supreme Court order to become a civil judge in Rajasthan in April 2025 after qualifying for the Rajasthan Judicial Services examination.
Medical Board Reduces Disability
A medical board at Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur recorded Rekha Sharma's disability as 30 percent instead of 40 percent in March 2026.
Disability Certificate Details
Rekha Sharma received a disability certificate from the Rajasthan government's Department of Medical and Health on November 2, 2020, recording her visual disability at 40 percent.
Supreme Court Intervention
The Supreme Court dismissed an application filed by the Rajasthan High Court on October 27, 2026, directing it to complete Rekha Sharma's appointment process.
Disability Eligibility Challenge
Rekha Sharma argued that candidates with benchmark disabilities were not given a separate cut-off in the Rajasthan Judicial Services examination, affecting her selection.
2024 Recruitment Outcome
Rekha Sharma scored 119 marks in the Rajasthan Judicial Services examination, below the 121.5 marks required for the 2024 recruitment cycle.
Supreme Court's 2025 Order
The Supreme Court directed Rekha Sharma's appointment as a Civil Judge (Junior Division) in April 2025 after she met the minimum qualifying marks.
Medical Assessment Discrepancy
The medical board recorded Rekha Sharma's disability as 30 percent during the appointment assessment, contradicting her government-issued 40 percent certificate.
Legal Challenge
Rekha Sharma's lawyers argued the medical board was not authorized to reduce her disability percentage and should not interfere with her government-issued certificate.
Supreme Court Reversal
The Supreme Court rejected the Rajasthan High Court's application on October 27, 2026, calling it 'highly frivolous' and directing completion of Rekha Sharma's appointment.
Disability Law Context
Under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, a person needs at least 40 percent disability to qualify for reservation benefits.
Appointment Process Status
Rekha Sharma's appointment process remains pending after the Supreme Court's intervention in October 2026.
Key Legal Issue
The case highlights the distinction between assessing a candidate's medical fitness for a job versus determining disability percentage for legal benefits.
Rekha Sharma's Experience
Rekha Sharma's case shows how complex the appointment process can be for candidates with disabilities even after meeting examination requirements.
What matters most
Rekha Sharma's Supreme Court appointment as civil judge in Rajasthan was reversed after medical board cut her disability from 40% to 30%.
