FED.OF DIRECTLY APPOINTED OFFRS OFIR&ORS vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court upheld the classification between the Indian Railway Service of Engineers (Class-I) and temporary Assistant Engineers, ruling that it does not violate Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution. The Court affirmed the Railway Board's decision to grant weightage in seniority based on half the length of service prior to absorption, capped at five years. The Court dismissed the petitions seeking equal pay and conditions, stating that the principles of res judicata barred re-agitation of issues settled in Katyani Dayal's case.