T. SHAM BHAT vs UNION OF INDIA

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Regulation 2 of the Indian Administrative Service (Appointment by Selection) Second Amendment Regulations, 1989, which mandates that non-State Civil Service Class-I officers must complete 12 years of continuous service to be eligible for selection to the IAS, as opposed to the previous requirement of 8 years. The Court found that the regulation does not violate Articles 14 and 16(1) of the Constitution of India, affirming the Tribunal's decision that the regulation is a valid classification based on reasonable criteria. The appeal was dismissed, maintaining the validity of the amended regulation.