In Brief
The Union Public Service Commission challenged a High Court order directing it to reconsider the promotion of an IAS aspirant (Jawahar Santhkumar) who was not selected in 2004 despite receiving a 'Very Good' rating in 2003. The High Court had found the Selection Committee's downgrade to 'Good' in 2004 lacked justification and that delayed seniority fixation prejudiced the candidate. The Supreme Court held that IAS selection is strictly merit-based; the Selection Committee, as an expert body, may assign its own classifications without recording reasons, and seniority matters only when merit is equal. Finding no arbitrariness or bias in the Committee's assessment, the Court set aside the High Court's order and allowed the appeal."
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