In which situation is equality in public employment maintained?

Correct answer: All eligible citizens are allowed to apply according to rules

Correct answer: A, all eligible citizens are allowed to apply according to rules. Equality in public employment means that eligible people should receive a fair opportunity to compete under common, publicly known conditions. Selection may then depend on relevant qualifications and lawful criteria, not on caste, religion or an unrelated personal identity. B excludes citizens merely because of caste and therefore violates equal opportunity. C makes religion, rather than relevant ability or rules, the basis of merit, which is discriminatory. D blocks a person because of place of birth and is also an unfair identity-based restriction. The key steps are: identify the public job, check the eligibility rules, and ask whether every eligible citizen can apply without arbitrary exclusion. Equal opportunity does not guarantee that everyone will be selected; it guarantees a fair chance to participate.