In Brief
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research challenged orders granting two advance increments to technical staff upon acquiring Ph.D. qualifications—a benefit originally available only to scientists under a 1999 pay scheme. The Supreme Court held that scientists and technical personnel, governed by different service rules and cadres with distinct duties, are not similarly situated. The extension of study leave to technical staff was merely to encourage education, not to confer cadre-specific financial benefits. The Court ruled that merely acquiring the same qualification does not entitle employees of one cadre to benefits exclusively designed for another cadre. The Court set aside the High Court and Tribunal orders, dismissing the respondents' claim."
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