SANT RAM SHARMA vs STATE OF RAJASTHAN & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that promotions to selection grade posts in the Indian Police Service must be based on merit rather than seniority alone, as established by the Indian Police Service (Pay) Rules, 1954. The Court found that the introduction of merit in promotions does not violate Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, as the government has the authority to issue administrative instructions to fill gaps in statutory rules. The petitioner's claims for promotion were denied as the government was not bound to promote him solely based on his seniority in the Gradation List.