RAJENDRA PRATAP SINGH YADAV vs STATE OF U.P. .

The Supreme Court addressed the eligibility of a Short Service Commissioned Officer for seniority benefits under the U.P. Non-Technical (Class-II/Group-B) Services (Appointment of Demobilised Officers) Rules, 1980. The Court held that such officers are not entitled to seniority if they were not selected against vacancies reserved for demobilised officers under the 1973 Rules. The judgment clarified that the benefit of past service cannot be granted if the appointment process commenced prior to the relevant date, thus upholding the seniority of direct recruits over the respondent.