UNION OF INDIA vs K.B. RAJORIA

The Supreme Court held that the eligibility criteria for promotion to the post of Director General (Works) under the Central Public Works Department (Director General of Works) Recruitment Rules, 1986, require two years of regular service, which cannot be substituted by notional promotion. The Court found that both the appellant and the respondent were ineligible for promotion as of the cut-off date of 1st July 1997, affirming the High Court's decision. The Court emphasized that actual service is necessary for eligibility, thereby upholding the principle that notional seniority does not equate to regular service required under the rules.