B. AMRUTHA LAKSHMI vs STATE OF A.P. .

The Supreme Court held that the selection process for the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) must adhere to the All India Services Act, 1951, and the IAS (Recruitment) Rules, 1954. The Court found that the State of Andhra Pradesh's interpretation of the eligibility criteria, which restricted consideration to higher officers, was erroneous and violated the principles of equality under Articles 14, 16, and 21 of the Constitution. Consequently, the Court ruled in favor of the appellant, declaring the actions of the State as illegal and ordering her consideration for selection into the IAS.