In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld a High Court decision to promote 13 judicial officers in Haryana as Additional District Judges under a merit-cum-seniority promotion scheme. The Court validated the High Court's requirement that candidates score at least 50% separately in both written tests and viva voce examinations, as an administrative instruction filling gaps in the silent Service Rules. Rejecting claims of arbitrary discrimination, the Court held the three recruitment routes (merit-cum-seniority, limited competitive exam, direct recruitment) are distinct and justifiably evaluated differently. The Court affirmed the High Court's constitutional independence under Articles 233 and 235, holding that the State Government could not reject High Court recommendations by seeking Union Government input. Procedural fairness was upheld despite candidates not being pre-notified of the cutoff requirement, as no prior commitment to its absence existed. The judgment reinforces judicial autonomy in ensuring merit-based judicial appointments.
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