CEN.COUNCIL FOR RES.IN AYUR.& SIDHA &ANR vs K. SANTHAKUMARI

The Supreme Court held that the promotion to the post of Research Officer must adhere to the principle of merit-cum-seniority as per the amended recruitment rules, rather than solely seniority-cum-fitness. The Court found that the appellants had erroneously admitted to the latter principle in their counter affidavit, leading to the respondent's promotion being wrongfully upheld by the lower courts. Consequently, the Court set aside the High Court's decision, emphasizing the correct application of the recruitment rules for promotions.