Shimla, Sept. 5 -- The Himachal Pradesh High Court has quashed the rejection of a woman candidate's application for the post of Van Mitra on the ground of being "overage" by a single day, terming the decision arbitrary and inconsistent.

The court also cancelled the appointment of the selected candidate and directed the State to appoint the petitioner with all consequential benefits.

Justice Sandeep Sharma, while allowing the petition filed by Suchitra, held that the interpretation of the age criterion by the Forest Department was flawed and discriminatory.

The case arose from a 2023 recruitment drive for 2,061 Van Mitra posts. The selection process was modified after the court earlier struck down viva voce marks, leaving 90 marks -- 75...