THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULEDTRIBES OFFICERS WELFARE C vs STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR.

The Supreme Court addressed the constitutional validity of the memo dated July 28, 1986, which altered promotion criteria within the Provincial Medical Health Service in U.P. The Court held that the memo, which increased the minimum length of service for promotions and introduced merit-based selection, was invalid as it was not in accordance with the statutory rules required under Article 309 of the Constitution. The Court emphasized that ad hoc appointments should be regularized according to established rules, thereby upholding the principle of seniority subject to rejection on grounds of unfitness.