In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed promotion to Junior Management Scale II in Mahakoshal Kshetriya Bank (a Regional Rural Bank). The Rules prescribed selection by written test (60 marks), interview (20 marks), and performance appraisal (20 marks), with only the written test requiring a minimum 40% qualifying score. The bank additionally fixed minimum 12 marks each in interview and performance appraisal. The High Court found this violated seniority-cum-merit promotion and set aside the entire selection list. The Court held the benchmark was permissible as a threshold to establish minimum merit; once crossed, candidates must be promoted strictly by seniority regardless of excess marks. The bank's procedure complied with seniority-cum-merit principles. Appeals allowed; High Court orders quashed.
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