T. Vijayan And Ors vs Div. Railway Manager And Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of seniority between direct recruits and promotees for the post of First Fireman under the Railway Establishment Manual. The Court held that the seniority of employees should be determined based on the date of regularization of their appointments, affirming that ad hoc promotions are valid and can be counted towards seniority. The Court upheld the Central Administrative Tribunal's decision that placed the promotees above the direct recruits in the seniority list, thus dismissing the appeals of the direct recruits.