A.K. BHATNAGAR AND ORS. vs UNION OF INDIA AND ORS.

The Supreme Court held that seniority is governed by the service rules, specifically under the Central Information Service Rules, 1959, Rule 5. The Court emphasized that in the absence of specific provisions, length of service should be considered, and disputes regarding inter se seniority between direct recruits and promotees must adhere to the established rules. The Court dismissed the Writ Petition and allowed the Civil Appeals, affirming that the Government's actions were within the purview of the rules and judicial interference was unwarranted.