CHENNAI CUSTOMS APPRAISING OFFICERS ASSN vs UNION OF INDIA .

The Supreme Court interpreted the Customs Appraisers’ Service Recruitment Rules, 1961 and 1988, addressing the seniority dispute between promotees and direct recruits. The Court held that seniority should be determined based on the principles laid out in the 1959 Circular, which mandates a rotation of vacancies between the two categories. The judgment clarified that the principles for determining seniority are not retrospective and emphasized the importance of adhering to the established recruitment rules.