UNION OF INDIA vs P. RAJARAM .

The Supreme Court held that the selection for the 35 newly created floating common posts in the super time grade of Central Health Services must be based on merit rather than mere seniority, as stipulated in Rule 4(10)(ii) and (iii) of the Central Health Service Rules, 1982. The Court clarified that the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) is responsible for devising its own method for assessing the suitability of candidates, emphasizing that these are selection posts requiring an objective assessment. The appeals were allowed, affirming the DPC's authority to determine the criteria for promotion based on merit.