B. Premanand & Ors vs Mohan Koikal & Ors

The Supreme Court held that Rule 27(c) of the Kerala State and Subordinate Services Rules, 1959 mandates that seniority is determined by the date of first effective advice for appointment. The Court found that the appellants, being Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates, received their first effective advice on 8.7.1992, prior to the respondents, who received theirs on 6.4.1993. The Court overturned the Full Bench's reliance on equity over law, asserting that the law must prevail in cases of conflict, thereby establishing the appellants' seniority over the respondents.