In Brief
The Maharashtra Public Service Commission challenged High Court orders that allowed candidates with research and development laboratory experience in drug testing to compete for posts of Assistant Commissioner (Drugs) and Drug Inspectors. The advertisement specified manufacturing and testing experience as essential qualifications, with research experience as desirable. The Supreme Court held that essential and desirable qualifications are distinct: 'preference' for desirable qualifications means only weightage, not automatic eligibility. Testing in R&D labs differs fundamentally from manufacturing-stage testing under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Courts cannot reinterpret clear advertisement language. The appeals were allowed and High Court orders set aside.
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