DIRECTOR GENERAL COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH (CSIR) vs J.K PRASHAR

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's decision that the promotions of respondents 2 and 3 to the post of Under Secretary violated the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Administrative Services (Recruitment & Promotion) Rules, 1982, as they had not independently performed the duties of a Section Officer. The Court emphasized that eligibility for promotion must strictly adhere to the statutory rules, which require a minimum of eight years of approved service and formal appointment as Section Officer. Consequently, the Court dismissed the appeals filed by the CSIR, affirming the High Court's ruling.