ANIL KUMAR CHOWDHURY vs STATE OF ASSAM & OTHERS

The Supreme Court examined Rule 3(3)(b) of the I.A.S. (Appointment by Promotion) Regulations, 1955, determining that merely holding posts equivalent to cadre posts without formal declaration does not satisfy the requirements of the rule. The Court held that the one-week gap in service does not break continuity, but the lack of formal recognition of the posts held by the petitioner prevents him from being placed higher in the I.A.S. Gradation List. Consequently, the petitioner's claim for seniority was denied.