In Brief
The State of Tripura amended its Civil Service Rules in December 2011 to expand the feeder posts eligible for promotion to Grade II positions. When the amendment was applied to pending promotional vacancies, 22 eligible officers challenged it, arguing they should only compete under the pre-amended rules. The High Court sided with the challengers, but the Supreme Court reversed, holding that candidates have the right to be considered under rules in force on the date of consideration, not when the vacancy arose. Since no vested right had accrued, the State could apply the amended rules. The appeals were allowed and exemplary costs imposed on the writ petitioners for stalling the selection process.
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