UNION OF INDIA vs H.R. PATANKAR & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court that the first respondent, a direct recruit to the Indian Administrative Service, should be assigned seniority over promotees from the State Civil Service who had the same year of allotment. The Court established that direct recruits are to be regarded as senior to promotees when both have the same year of allotment, as per Rule 3 (3) (b) of the Indian Administrative Service (Regulation of Seniority) Rules, 1954. The gradation list must adhere to the principles of seniority laid down by the Government, and the Court dismissed the Union of India's appeal against the High Court's ruling.