N. ABDUL BASHEER & ORS. ETC. ETC. vs K.K. KARUNAKARAN & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the amendment to Special Rule 2 of the Kerala Excise & Prohibition Subordinate Service Rules, which established a promotion ratio of 1:3 between graduates and non-graduates, was discriminatory and ultra vires Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The Court found no coherent policy favoring graduates and noted that both categories of officers performed identical duties and were treated as equals in terms of service conditions. Consequently, the appeals by the State of Kerala and graduate officers were dismissed.