PIL Challenges Arunachal Recruitment Norms on PRC, APST, Tribal Language; HC Seeks Response

Itanagar: The Gauhati High Court has sought the Arunachal Pradesh government's response to a legal challenge against new recruitment rules that make a Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC), Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificate and proficiency in an indigenous tribal language mandatory for direct recruitment to government posts.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury heard the matter and directed the state to file its response by the next hearing, scheduled for November 5, 2026.

What does the PIL challenge?

The Lekang Indigenous Right Forum (LIRF) and four others have challenged the Arunachal government's August 26 notification introducing uniform eligibility conditions for direct recruitment.

The petitioners have also challenged subsequent recruitment advertisements issued by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission on September 1, 7 and 9.

According to the petitioners, making PRC and APST status mandatory effectively excludes non-APST permanent residents from the relevant recruitment process. They have argued that the policy raises questions under Articles 14, 15 and 16 of the Constitution, which concern equality and equality of opportunity in public employment.

The petitioners have also questioned whether such eligibility conditions can be imposed through an executive notification and recruitment rules rather than through legislation.

High Court allows petitioners to participate

In a connected writ petition, the High Court has issued an interim direction allowing the petitioners to participate in the ongoing recruitment process.

The court made it clear that such participation will remain subject to the final outcome of the case.

The court has also issued notices to the state government and APPSC on the constitutional challenge. The next hearing in both matters is scheduled for November 5.

What are the new Arunachal recruitment rules?

The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, approved uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment on August 13.

The government subsequently issued a notification on August 26 requiring candidates seeking direct recruitment to Group A, B and C posts and equivalent positions to possess:

• A valid Arunachal Pradesh Permanent Residence Certificate

• An Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (APST) certificate

• Knowledge of an indigenous tribal language

The requirements apply across government departments, public-sector undertakings, autonomous bodies and local and urban bodies, according to the notification.

Tribal language test also part of the framework

The recruitment framework also provides for an indigenous-language test.

Selected candidates are required to clear the prescribed language test during probation or within three years. Failure to qualify can result in withholding annual increments and promotions until the required test is cleared.

Why was the policy introduced?

The new recruitment framework followed demands from organisations including the All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) for changes in recruitment rules.

AAPSU has welcomed the mandatory PRC, APST and indigenous-language requirements, saying they address concerns over the representation of the state's indigenous population in government employment.

The students' body had urged that the criteria be applied uniformly across future recruitment examinations.

Who has challenged the rules?

The LIRF comprises youths and students from communities including Moran, Deori, Adivasi, Kachari and Tai Ahom residing within the Lekang Administrative Circle in Namsai district.

The petitioners are described as non-APST permanent inhabitants and have challenged the requirement that APST status be mandatory for the relevant government recruitment process.

They contend that the policy could effectively eliminate an unreserved category in public employment and have questioned its compatibility with constitutional equality provisions. These are the petitioners' arguments and have not been judicially determined.

Government response awaited

The state's Advocate General informed the High Court that the Arunachal Pradesh government would file its response through an affidavit.

No detailed official response addressing the constitutional objections raised in the PIL was available in the reports following the hearing.

The court's notice is therefore not a final ruling on the validity of the recruitment criteria. The constitutional questions raised by the petitioners remain pending before the High Court.

The case could have implications for how Arunachal Pradesh balances recruitment eligibility rules intended to protect opportunities for indigenous communities with constitutional guarantees relating to equality and public employment.