In Brief
The case concerns the seniority ranking of direct recruits (DRs) and departmental promotees (DPs) appointed to newly created Tax Assistant posts in Rajasthan in 2011. The DRs challenged seniority lists placing DPs above them, arguing their selection began earlier. The Supreme Court held that Rule 27 of the service rules, as amended in 2002, mandates seniority be determined from the date of actual appointment, not selection. The proviso addressing earlier selections applies only within the same recruitment source (not across different categories). Since DPs received appointment letters on 23 June 2011 and DRs on 4 July 2011, the DPs rank senior. The recruitment was composite and contemporaneous; administrative delays in processing DRs were reasonable and justified. The appeals were dismissed.
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