STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH vs J.L. SHARMA

The Supreme Court held that under the Himachal Pradesh Forest Service (Class II) Recruitment Promotion and Certain Conditions of Service Rules, 1966, the training period for direct recruits must be counted as 'in service' for seniority purposes. The Court found that the amended provisions of the Rules, particularly the Notification dated 30th April 1986, support this interpretation. Consequently, the Tribunal's ruling was overturned, affirming that direct recruits are entitled to seniority from the date of joining after training completion, not from the training commencement date.