K. THIMMAPPA & ORS. vs CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL BD. OF DIRS. SBI & ANR.

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of the placement of existing officers in the State Bank of India under the State Bank of India Officers (Determination of Terms and Conditions of Service) Order, 1979, specifically Paragraph 7, which was challenged as discriminatory. The Court held that the provisions of Paragraph 7 must be interpreted in a manner that ensures fairness and equality among officers, emphasizing the need for uniformity in service conditions as recommended by the Pillai Committee. The Court ruled that the placement must not result in unjust discrimination among officers of Grade I, thereby upholding the principles of equality and non-discrimination in service matters under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.