Delhi High Court Halts NHAI's CLAT-Based Lawyer Recruitment

The Delhi High Court has issued a stay on the National Highways Authority of India's (NHAI) decision to recruit lawyers based on CLAT scores. A bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the rationale behind such a hiring process.

The court expressed concerns over NHAI's criteria, noting that CLAT PG scores, intended for admission to postgraduate law programs, are not indicative of a candidate's suitability for employment. The judges emphasized that the selection process should be based on relevant skills rather than examination results.

NHAI's counsel argued that CLAT scores serve as a benchmark for legal acumen, but the bench observed that different skills are needed for different roles. The court has reserved its judgment on the matter, instructing NHAI not to move forward with the recruitment process until a verdict is delivered.