Why? Because 958 selected candidates; who applied under older rules; could face unfair treatment if eligibility is re-evaluated now. The Centre argues that retroactively applying the March 11 ruling would divide candidates into two groups: those who applied under OBC and those who didn't, creating inequality. Delaying cadre allocations and training could also mess up the entire IAS/IPS onboarding schedule. The government isn’t trying to ignore the judgment; just asking for clarity: Should a new legal standard apply to an exam that ended before the ruling? This isn’t just about quotas; it’s about fairness, timing, and the real-life consequences of legal changes after the fact.