Prima Facie Questionable: Delhi High Court Doubts Validity Of MHA's Rule Disqualifying Candidates With Right Forearm Tattoo From Joining Armed Forces

The Delhi High Court has issued notice in a plea challenging the disqualification as per the rule prescribed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of candidates with a tattoo on the right forearm from joining the armed forces.

The Court was considering a Writ Petition filed by one such candidate who was even willing to undergo surgery to remove the tattoo.

A division bench of Justice C Hari Shankar and Justice Om Prakash Shukla observed, "As, prima facie, we are of the view that the basis for disqualifying the petitioner may be questionable, issue notice to show cause as to why rule nisi be not issued."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Utsav Jain, while the Respondent was represented by Special Public Counsel Rajendra Sahu.

The Court prima facie noted that it does not understand how the mere presence of a tattoo on the right forearm of a candidate can disqualify him for recruitment to the Forces.

"A reading of the aforesaid guideline indicates that the respondents do not find anything amiss if the tattoo is on “traditional sites of the body like inner aspect of the forearm” but are agreeable to the tattoo being only on the left forearm and not on the right forearm. This appears to be because of “the present young generation is considerably under the influence of western culture” and engraving of skin art", the Court observed while questioning the legality of the rule and issuing Notices.

The Petition was accordingly listed for November 17, 2025.

Cause Title: Vipin Kumar v. Union Of India And Others.

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