MOHAMMAD SHUJAT, ALI & ORS. etc. vs UNION OF INDIA & ORS. etc.

The Supreme Court interpreted the Proviso to Section 115(7) of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, clarifying that 'previous approval' must be obtained before varying conditions of service to the disadvantage of those allotted to serve in a State. The Court held that educational qualifications can serve as a valid basis for classification under Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution, and that the fixation of quotas for promotions must not be discriminatory. The judgment emphasized the need for fairness in the promotion process for civil engineering supervisors from the erstwhile State of Hyderabad.