STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH vs DR. N. RAMACHANDRA RAO AND ORS.M. PANDURANGA RAJU AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Rule 2 of the Special Rules for the A.P. Medical and Health Services, 1982, the eligibility for promotion to the post of Additional Director requires a minimum of three years of service in Class I, Categories 2 and 3, and not merely in Class II. The Court emphasized that seniority based on specialty should not dictate promotions to administrative posts, as it could lead to arbitrariness. The appeals by the State were dismissed, affirming the Tribunal's decision that total service, including in lower categories, should be considered for promotion eligibility.