MALLIKARJUNA RAO AND ORS. ETC. ETC. vs STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH AND ORS. ETC. ETC.

The Supreme Court addressed the validity of Rule 6 of the Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Service Rules, 1961, which set special eligibility qualifications for promotions. The Court upheld the High Court's decision that Rule 6 was intra vires but emphasized the need for clearer guidelines to reduce arbitrary discretion in selecting candidates for specialized training. Following this, the State Government amended the rules, leading to the Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Service--Special Rules, 1977, which established a category-wise promotion system. The Court ultimately held that the Administrative Tribunal's direction to amend the rules was justified, reinforcing the need for fair promotion practices under Article 14 of the Constitution.