M. SRINIVASA PRASAD vs CONTROLLER & AUDITOR GEN.OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court addressed the issue of seniority among direct recruits to the post of Section Officer (Commercial Audit) under the Indian Audit and Accounts Department Section Officer (Commercial Audit) Recruitment Rules, 1988, framed under Article 148(5) of the Constitution. The Court held that the seniority of direct recruits should be reckoned from the date of their initial appointment, rather than from the date of qualification in the Section Officer Grade Examination. This decision clarifies the interpretation of the recruitment rules regarding seniority and promotion, thereby allowing the appellants to have their probationary period counted towards seniority for future promotions.