In J&K Service Selection Board v. Sudesh Kumar & Ors., the Supreme Court reaffirmed that evaluation criteria in a recruitment process cannot be altered after candidates have completed all stages of selection, particularly after interviews are concluded. The case concerned recruitment to Forester posts where the minimum eligibility was 10+2 with Science, and the original scheme awarded uniform weightage to B.Sc. Forestry degrees. After interviews, the Board arbitrarily modified the criteria by assigning different marks to 3-year and 4-year B.Sc. Forestry degrees, disadvantaging certain candidates. The Court held that such post-interview changes violate principles of fairness, transparency, and non-arbitrariness, and lack rational nexus with the object of recruitment, especially when the post primarily emphasized physical standards and viva voce. Relying on K. Manjusree and the Constitution Bench decision in Tej Prakash Pathak, the Court ruled that “rules of the game” cannot be changed mid-way. Upholding the High Court’s decision, the Supreme Court directed adjustment of affected candidates against vacant or additional posts while protecting those already appointed from displacement.