THE GOVT. OF A.P. vs P. DILIP KUMAR .

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission's recruitment process for Deputy Executive Engineers, interpreting Rule 4 of the Andhra Pradesh Engineering Service Rules, 1966. The Court clarified that preference for post-graduates in direct recruitment is based on merit rather than seniority, distinguishing it from promotion cases. The decision of the Andhra Pradesh Administrative Tribunal, which quashed the select list, was overturned, affirming the PSC's approach to prioritize post-graduates who met the qualifying marks.