Promotees Temporarily Occupying Slots Meant for Direct Recruits Cannot Claim Seniority: Andhra Pradesh High Court Rules
In a significant judgment delivered on January 20, 2026, the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by A. Srirangam Dora and others against the State of Andhra Pradesh and others, thereby upholding the order of the A.P. Administrative Tribunal. The case revolved around the revision of seniority lists to correctly place direct recruits in their allotted slots according to cyclic points in service rules.
The petitioners, who were promotees, challenged the revision of seniority lists that affected their perceived seniority status. They contended that they were initially appointed as Junior Assistants and subsequently promoted to higher cadres as Prohibition and Excise Sub-Inspectors, occupying slots meant for direct recruits. The seniority list had been finalized in 2007, and the petitioners argued that any revision after more than three years was against established norms.
However, the court, presided over by Justices Cheekati Manavendranath Roy and Tuhin Kumar Gedela, reiterated that the temporary occupation of slots by promotees did not entitle them to claim seniority over direct recruits. The court clarified that the revision of seniority lists was justified as it aimed to place direct recruits in their rightful slots in accordance with service rules.
The court noted that the probation for direct recruits commenced from the panel year of their joining, while promotees' probation began only after the direct recruit slots were filled. The court underscored that such revisions did not violate the principle of settled seniority lists when undertaken as per service rules.
The judgment is expected to bring clarity and uniformity to the determination of seniority among promotees and direct recruits, reinforcing the legal framework governing service laws in Andhra Pradesh.
Bottom Line:
Revision of seniority lists to place direct recruits in their allotted slots as per cyclic points in service rules does not violate the principle of settled seniority lists when promotees have temporarily occupied slots meant for direct recruits.
Statutory provision(s): Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules, Government of Andhra Pradesh Circular Memo No. 16/Ser.A/93-39 dated 21/04/1999, Rule 33 of the Andhra Pradesh State and Subordinate Service Rules
A. Srirangam Dora v. State of Andhra Pradesh, (Andhra Pradesh)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2842576
