Mr. Abhishek Usha Singh, Ms. Mr. DeekshaSaggi and RituparnUniyal, Advs v. GOVERNMENT OF NCT OF DELHI AND OTHERS

Judgment

1. Allowed, subject to all just exceptions. W.P.(C) 9910/2025 & CM APPL. 41313/2025 (stay) 2. This petition has been filed challenging the Order dated

19.05.2025 passed by the learned Central Administrative Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, (hereinafter referred to as, „Tribunal‟) in OA No. 1860/2025 titled Gyan Prakash Dev v. Government of NCT

of Delhi & Ors., dismissing the OA filed by the respondent herein. It further seeks directions to the respondents to issue an appointment letter to the petitioner as per the provisional Nomination Order dated

13.09.2024. 3. The petitioner had applied for the post of Photographer pursuant Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 1 of 7 to the Advertisement No. 02/2023 issued by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (hereinafter referred as, „DSSSB‟)/respondent no. 3 herein. The essential qualification for the said post were inter alia as under: year Certificate/Diploma “2. One Photography/ Cinematography/Videography from any recognised institute with three years experience photography/Cinematography/Videography in a Government Department/Public Sector Undertaking/Autonomous Statutory Body/News Agency/News Channel/Newspaper registered with the Registrar of News Paper of India. Photography/ OR in Photography/ Two year Diploma from any Cinematography/ Videography recognised institute with two years’ experience Cinematography/ Government Videography Sector Department/Public Undertaking/Autonomous Statutory Body/News Agency/News Channel/Newspaper registered with the Registrar of News Paper of India. a OR NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate NTC (National Trade Certificate) passed in Photography/ Cinematography/Videography recognised institute with experience in Photography/ Cinematography/ Government Videography Department/Public Sector Undertaking/Autonomous or Statutory Body/ News Agency/ News Channel/ Newspaper registered with the Registrar of News Paper of India.” a

4. The petitioner was successful in the selection process and in fact, claims that he had topped the same. Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 2 of 7

5. At the document verification stage, however, the respondents sought clarification with respect the experience certificate submitted by the petitioner. The petitioner, at that stage, relied upon a Certificate dated 18.12.2024 issued by the Director General, National Museum, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, which reads as under: “18thDecember, 2024 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN This is to certify that Shri Gyan Prakash Dev, resident of Delhi has been called in the National Museum from time to time for still photography and also videography to cover the VVIPs visits, functions, exhibitions, press preview organized by the National Museum and Ministry of Culture Government of India from 1stMay, 2020 onwards. He has been called regularly for the functions etc. in the National Museum due to his good work and performance. He is well known in all aspect of digital photography and videography also photo editing in adobe photoshop software. He is a talented skilled dedicated photographer and videographer. He is very enthusiastic and energetic young man and always keen to learn anything that comes better for his career. He bears a good more character. I wish him all the success in his life.”

6. The respondent then sought a clarification from the Director General, National Museum, on the Certificate issued. The Director General, National Museum, vide a letter dated 17.01.2025, issued the following clarification: “No.DGNM-2/2025 17th January, 2025 Shri Harish Kumar Sharma Sector Officer (Admn.) Directorate of Information and Publicity Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 3 of 7 Govt. of NCT of Delhi Block No.-IX, Old Sectt. Delhi-110054 Sub: Regarding Experience Certificate in R/o Sh. Gyan Prakash Dev Sir, Please F.5(7)/DIP/Estt./Photo/2021/762 06/01/2025 on the above cited subject. letter no. Yes, this is to confirm that I have issued the Certificate in favour of Shri Gyan Prakash Dev on the recommendation and certification of our Photographic Officer. As explained by our Photographic Officer of National Museum, Shri Gyan Prakash Dev was called from time to time in the National Museum from 1.5.2020 onwards to cover the functions through Filmistan Photo Studio, 86-87, Model Basti, New Delhi-110005 and the payment was made to Shri Gyan Prakash Dev directly by Filmistan Photo Studio. I wish him best of luck and success in life in future. Yours sincerely, (B. R. Mani)”

7. Considering that the said Certificate and clarification does not meet the required experience for the post, the respondents cancelled the candidature of the petitioner vide letter dated 10.03.2025. 8. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner first approached this Court by way of a writ petition, and pursuant to the liberty granted, approached the learned Tribunal in form of the above OA. 9. As noted hereinabove, the learned Tribunal has dismissed the OA, finding that the petitioner did not meet the required experience and the fact that his services had been availed at the National Museum could not be treated as due compliance with the experience required Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 4 of 7 for the post. We quote from the finding of the learned Tribunal as under: “3. We had the opportunity to peruse the said order. The order itself clarifies that the reply to the show-cause notice had been adequately considered by the competent authority. Respondents have undertaken the verification of the document of 18.12.2024 and upon verification they found that the applicant was called from time to time in the National Museum to cover the functions. However, the payment for such work was made directly by the Filmistan Photo Studio and not by the National Museum. Further, it was verified that the applicant had neither been working on contract basis nor on daily/regular basis with the National Museum directly. Infact, he is an employee of the Filmistan Photo Studio which is a private. experience a government/PSU/Autonomous body and the experience gained from a private entity is not the Recruitment rules permissible under (RR’s). Hence, applicant has been rightly rejected. We do not the action of find any respondents. The order passed by respondents is balanced and a fair decision. Hence, there is no reason for us to intervene with the decision ofthe respondents.” the rules requirethat the candidature of illegality should

10. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the learned Tribunal has failed to appreciate that the requirement under the Advertisement was not for the candidate to be employed in full time capacity in a Government Department/public sector undertaking („PSU‟) etc.; the experience required was only of having worked for a Government Department/PSU etc. He further submits that in the present case, the experience certificate issued by the Director General, Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 5 of 7 National Museum, clearly stated that the petitioner had been called in the National Museum from time to time for still photography as also videography to cover the VVIPs visits, functions etc. from 01.05.2020 onwards, and his work and performance was good. He further adds that in the explanation issued vide letter dated 17.01.2025, it was confirmed that the petitioner had been called from time to time in the National Museum from 01.05.2020 onwards to cover functions. He submits that merely because the petitioner was called through Filmistan Photo Studio would not, in any manner, discredit the experience of the petitioner. He contends that the petitioner was, therefore, fully eligible for the said post. 11. The above submissions are disputed by the learned counsel for the respondent, who appears on advance notice. He submits that the learned Tribunal has duly considered all the relevant factors, including the Advertisement and the certificates, and correctly found that the petitioner did not meet the required experience. 12. We have considered the submissions made by the learned counsels for the parties. 13. An informed reading of the Advertisement would clearly show the candidate must have a three year experience photography/cinematography/videography “in a” government department/PSU, etc. 14. In the instant case, the petitioner was not employed with a government department/PSU/Autonomous Body/Statutory Body, etc. He was working for a private firm, that is, Filmistan Photo Studio and whenever Filmistan Photo Studio was requisitioned for carrying out Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 6 of 7 any photography or videography work at the National Museum, the employer of the petitioner, that is, Filmistan Photo Studio, used to send the petitioner for the said work. This derivative experience gained by the petitioner cannot satisfy the requirement under the Advertisement. 15. We, therefore, find no infirmity in the Impugned Order passed by the learned Tribunal. 16. The petition along with pending application is, accordingly, dismissed. NAVIN CHAWLA, J RENU BHATNAGAR, J JULY 15, 2025 p/kz/ik Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 7 of 7

of Delhi & Ors., dismissing the OA filed by the respondent herein. It further seeks directions to the respondents to issue an appointment letter to the petitioner as per the provisional Nomination Order dated

13.09.2024. 3. The petitioner had applied for the post of Photographer pursuant Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 1 of 7 to the Advertisement No. 02/2023 issued by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (hereinafter referred as, „DSSSB‟)/respondent no. 3 herein. The essential qualification for the said post were inter alia as under: year Certificate/Diploma “2. One Photography/ Cinematography/Videography from any recognised institute with three years experience photography/Cinematography/Videography in a Government Department/Public Sector Undertaking/Autonomous Statutory Body/News Agency/News Channel/Newspaper registered with the Registrar of News Paper of India. Photography/ OR in Photography/ Two year Diploma from any Cinematography/ Videography recognised institute with two years’ experience Cinematography/ Government Videography Sector Department/Public Undertaking/Autonomous Statutory Body/News Agency/News Channel/Newspaper registered with the Registrar of News Paper of India. a OR NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate NTC (National Trade Certificate) passed in Photography/ Cinematography/Videography recognised institute with experience in Photography/ Cinematography/ Government Videography Department/Public Sector Undertaking/Autonomous or Statutory Body/ News Agency/ News Channel/ Newspaper registered with the Registrar of News Paper of India.” a

4. The petitioner was successful in the selection process and in fact, claims that he had topped the same. Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 2 of 7

5. At the document verification stage, however, the respondents sought clarification with respect the experience certificate submitted by the petitioner. The petitioner, at that stage, relied upon a Certificate dated 18.12.2024 issued by the Director General, National Museum, Ministry of Culture, New Delhi, which reads as under: “18thDecember, 2024 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN This is to certify that Shri Gyan Prakash Dev, resident of Delhi has been called in the National Museum from time to time for still photography and also videography to cover the VVIPs visits, functions, exhibitions, press preview organized by the National Museum and Ministry of Culture Government of India from 1stMay, 2020 onwards. He has been called regularly for the functions etc. in the National Museum due to his good work and performance. He is well known in all aspect of digital photography and videography also photo editing in adobe photoshop software. He is a talented skilled dedicated photographer and videographer. He is very enthusiastic and energetic young man and always keen to learn anything that comes better for his career. He bears a good more character. I wish him all the success in his life.”

6. The respondent then sought a clarification from the Director General, National Museum, on the Certificate issued. The Director General, National Museum, vide a letter dated 17.01.2025, issued the following clarification: “No.DGNM-2/2025 17th January, 2025 Shri Harish Kumar Sharma Sector Officer (Admn.) Directorate of Information and Publicity Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 3 of 7 Govt. of NCT of Delhi Block No.-IX, Old Sectt. Delhi-110054 Sub: Regarding Experience Certificate in R/o Sh. Gyan Prakash Dev Sir, Please F.5(7)/DIP/Estt./Photo/2021/762 06/01/2025 on the above cited subject. letter no. Yes, this is to confirm that I have issued the Certificate in favour of Shri Gyan Prakash Dev on the recommendation and certification of our Photographic Officer. As explained by our Photographic Officer of National Museum, Shri Gyan Prakash Dev was called from time to time in the National Museum from 1.5.2020 onwards to cover the functions through Filmistan Photo Studio, 86-87, Model Basti, New Delhi-110005 and the payment was made to Shri Gyan Prakash Dev directly by Filmistan Photo Studio. I wish him best of luck and success in life in future. Yours sincerely, (B. R. Mani)”

7. Considering that the said Certificate and clarification does not meet the required experience for the post, the respondents cancelled the candidature of the petitioner vide letter dated 10.03.2025. 8. Aggrieved thereby, the petitioner first approached this Court by way of a writ petition, and pursuant to the liberty granted, approached the learned Tribunal in form of the above OA. 9. As noted hereinabove, the learned Tribunal has dismissed the OA, finding that the petitioner did not meet the required experience and the fact that his services had been availed at the National Museum could not be treated as due compliance with the experience required Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 4 of 7 for the post. We quote from the finding of the learned Tribunal as under: “3. We had the opportunity to peruse the said order. The order itself clarifies that the reply to the show-cause notice had been adequately considered by the competent authority. Respondents have undertaken the verification of the document of 18.12.2024 and upon verification they found that the applicant was called from time to time in the National Museum to cover the functions. However, the payment for such work was made directly by the Filmistan Photo Studio and not by the National Museum. Further, it was verified that the applicant had neither been working on contract basis nor on daily/regular basis with the National Museum directly. Infact, he is an employee of the Filmistan Photo Studio which is a private. experience a government/PSU/Autonomous body and the experience gained from a private entity is not the Recruitment rules permissible under (RR’s). Hence, applicant has been rightly rejected. We do not the action of find any respondents. The order passed by respondents is balanced and a fair decision. Hence, there is no reason for us to intervene with the decision ofthe respondents.” the rules requirethat the candidature of illegality should

10. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the learned Tribunal has failed to appreciate that the requirement under the Advertisement was not for the candidate to be employed in full time capacity in a Government Department/public sector undertaking („PSU‟) etc.; the experience required was only of having worked for a Government Department/PSU etc. He further submits that in the present case, the experience certificate issued by the Director General, Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 5 of 7 National Museum, clearly stated that the petitioner had been called in the National Museum from time to time for still photography as also videography to cover the VVIPs visits, functions etc. from 01.05.2020 onwards, and his work and performance was good. He further adds that in the explanation issued vide letter dated 17.01.2025, it was confirmed that the petitioner had been called from time to time in the National Museum from 01.05.2020 onwards to cover functions. He submits that merely because the petitioner was called through Filmistan Photo Studio would not, in any manner, discredit the experience of the petitioner. He contends that the petitioner was, therefore, fully eligible for the said post. 11. The above submissions are disputed by the learned counsel for the respondent, who appears on advance notice. He submits that the learned Tribunal has duly considered all the relevant factors, including the Advertisement and the certificates, and correctly found that the petitioner did not meet the required experience. 12. We have considered the submissions made by the learned counsels for the parties. 13. An informed reading of the Advertisement would clearly show the candidate must have a three year experience photography/cinematography/videography “in a” government department/PSU, etc. 14. In the instant case, the petitioner was not employed with a government department/PSU/Autonomous Body/Statutory Body, etc. He was working for a private firm, that is, Filmistan Photo Studio and whenever Filmistan Photo Studio was requisitioned for carrying out Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 6 of 7 any photography or videography work at the National Museum, the employer of the petitioner, that is, Filmistan Photo Studio, used to send the petitioner for the said work. This derivative experience gained by the petitioner cannot satisfy the requirement under the Advertisement. 15. We, therefore, find no infirmity in the Impugned Order passed by the learned Tribunal. 16. The petition along with pending application is, accordingly, dismissed. NAVIN CHAWLA, J RENU BHATNAGAR, J JULY 15, 2025 p/kz/ik Signature Not Verified Signed By:PRIYADARSHANI JAIN Signing Date:18.07.2025 17:05:49 W.P.(C) 9910/2025 Page 7 of 7