N.K. CHAUHAN & ORS. vs STATE OF GUJARAT & ORS.

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of seniority between promotee and direct recruit Deputy Collectors under Articles 14-16 of the Constitution of India. The Court held that the expression 'as far as practicable' in the 1959 resolution allows for a flexible interpretation of the recruitment quota, affirming that seniority should be determined based on the date of appointment for direct recruits and the date of promotion for promotees. The Court ultimately upheld the High Court's decision favoring the direct recruits, establishing that the seniority rules must be applied consistently with the principles of equality and fairness.