ALL INDIA FED.OF CENTRAL EXCISE vs THE UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed the promotion rules for Group 'B' posts in the Central Excise and Customs departments, specifically challenging Rule 18 of the 1987 Rules. The Court held that promotions must be based on a common seniority list of all eligible officers from the feeder categories, thereby ensuring fairness and adherence to the principles of natural justice. The judgment emphasized that the promotions in dispute should be re-evaluated in accordance with the newly framed statutory rules, thus upholding the rights of the petitioners.