S.L. AHMED & OTHERS vs UNION OF INDIA & OTHERS

The Supreme Court dismissed the petition of Radio operators Grade III (Naik) challenging the revised pay scale under the Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 1973. The Court held that the minimum qualification for the post of Naik was Middle School Examination as of January 1, 1973, and thus the petitioners could not claim a higher pay scale based on a qualification that was not applicable at that time. The Court emphasized that it could only validate or invalidate the government's pay fixation and not prescribe new scales, affirming the validity of the revised pay scale of Rs. 225-308 for Naiks and the special pay of Rs. 30 for Radio operators Grade III (Naik).