Yes, you read that right. The system built to help them backfired. They’d applied twice before; both times, the exams were cancelled. In 2023, the Haryana Staff Selection Commission gave them a lifeline: age relaxation, fee waiver, and exemption from qualifying tests; if they reapplied. But the portal? Had no checkbox for 'I’m eligible for this waiver.' So, to be safe, they paid the fee. Big mistake. The system read 'paid fee = fresh applicant'; and rejected them for being 'overage.' Their scores were high enough to make the cut. The High Court called it 'a cruel irony'; diligence became disqualification. And ruled the Commission must reprocess their candidature, with backdated benefits. Moral? Sometimes, the safest move is the one that breaks the system; and the law is there to fix it.