D.N. AGRAWAL AND ANR. vs STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Rule 19(1) of the Madhya Pradesh P.W.D. (Gazetted) Recruitment Rules, 1969, a Junior Engineer must have two years of experience to be eligible for promotion to Assistant Engineer. The Court dismissed the appellants' appeal, affirming that their ad hoc appointments did not confer any seniority rights, as they were made under the administrative exigency provision and were not regular appointments. The Court emphasized that the Departmental Promotion Committee's selection is essential for regular appointments, and the appellants' ad hoc status precluded them from claiming seniority.