6 candidates allege arbitrary, unfair practices by GSSC in conduct of 800-metre race
PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has reserved its order for Wednesday, January 21, on a writ petition challenging the conduct of the physical efficiency test for recruitment to the post of Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), with the next phase of the selection process scheduled for January 26.
Six male candidates, who are petitioners in the matter, alleged arbitrary and unfair practices by the Goa Staff Selection Commission (GSSC), particularly in the conduct of the 800-metre race, which is one of the five components of the physical examination. The State, Director General of Goa Police, and Sports Authority of Goa have also been made respondents in the matter.
The petitioners stated that they applied under the male category pursuant to the advertisement dated May 2, 2025, and had cleared the written examination before appearing for the physical test.
The petition stated that the candidates completed four components of the physical test -- the 100-metre sprint, high jump, long jump and shot put. The dispute was however, on the 800-metre race, which required them to complete the distance within 2 minutes and 50 seconds.
The petitioners contended that on the day of the test, around 200 to 220 male candidates were subjected to the 800-metre race in batches of 40 to 60 runners at a time. This, they claimed, stood in sharp contrast to the 100-metre sprint, where only three candidates ran at a time, enabling them to maximise speed on a narrow track.
They further alleged that the crowded nature of the 800-metre run made overtaking difficult, especially for candidates positioned several rows behind at the start, resulting in loss of crucial seconds. The ground conditions, coupled with the congestion, were cited as factors that adversely affected performance and added to the candidates’ timings.
The petitioners also raised concerns over the use of sensor-based timing for the 800-metre race, which was allegedly introduced for the first time in Goa. In earlier tests, individual timers would announce lap timings, enabling candidates to regulate their pace in line with IAAF standards. In the present test, the sensors installed at the start and finish line were said to be only 12 inches high, while the microchips were strapped to the runners’ ankles. As a result, if a candidate crossed the finish line with the leg above the sensor height, the system would fail to register the timing, thereby vitiating the event, the petitioners claimed.
Seeking relief, the petitioners prayed for a stay on the recruitment process, particularly the third phase, until the petition is decided. They have also sought a direction for conducting a fresh physical efficiency test for the disqualified candidates on a recognised athletic field with proper equipment, while retaining the existing list of shortlisted candidates.
