In Brief
Officers of the Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service with long prior service sought equal seniority in the Indian Police Service based on grade pay under the Sixth Pay Commission Report. The Supreme Court held that IPS seniority depends solely on the date of induction to IPS, not prior service elsewhere. Grade pay provisions apply only within a service hierarchy, not between services. The Court rejected directions to amend service rules, clarifying that while lateral recruits may receive pay protection, this does not confer superior seniority over direct IPS recruits. The appeal was allowed and High Court's direction for rule amendments was set aside.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.