In Brief
The Supreme Court held that in direct recruitment, educational qualifications are assessed according to the rules in force at the time of recruitment, regardless of when the vacancy occurred. The case involved TRYSEM-trained candidates seeking Livestock Inspector posts under pre-1997 qualification standards (matriculation), while the amended 1997 rules required higher qualifications (Intermediate/+2 Science). The Court distinguished direct recruitment from promotion (where incumbents have legitimate expectation rights) and noted that relaxations for specific categories under amended rules do not extend to direct recruits. However, it allowed the respondents to approach the Government for discretionary relaxation in light of their training and prior engagement.
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