Full Judgment Text
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVILAPPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.12020-21/2014
AJAY BHATT … Appellant
VERSUS
STATE OF UTTRAKHAND & ORS. …Respondent(s)
O R D E R
Civil Appeal No.10194/2013
1. The impugned order is based on the judgment of the High Court,
which has been set aside by us today in Civil Appeal No.10194 of 2013.
Learned counsel for the appellant stated that were we to set aside the
impugned order in Civil Appeal No.10194 of 2013 this matter would
have to be remitted back for consideration as there would be other
consequences which would have to be examined.
Signature Not Verified
Digitally signed by
ASHA SUNDRIYAL
Date: 2020.10.05
16:40:53 IST
Reason:
1
2. In view of the aforesaid, we set aside the impugned order and remit
the matter back for consideration in the conspectus of our judgment in
Civil Appeal No.10194 of 2013.
...……………………………J.
[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]
...……………………………J.
[M.R. Shah]
New Delhi.
October 14, 2019.
2
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.10194 OF 2013
STATE OF UTTARAKHAND & ORS. … Appellant(s)
VERSUS
S.K. SINGH & ORS. …Respondent(s)
IA No.88765/2018
WITH
C.A. No. 1317 of 2015
C.A. No. 11307 of 2013
IA No.7/2016
J U D G M E N T
SANJAY KISHAN KAUL, J.
Civil Appeal No.10194/2013
1. The dispute pertains to the Irrigation Department cadre of the
Uttarakhand State, for promotion from the post of Junior Engineer (for
Signature Not Verified
Digitally signed by
ASHA SUNDRIYAL
Date: 2020.10.05
16:40:52 IST
Reason:
short ‘JE’) to the post of Assistant Engineer (for short ‘AE’), with two
groups of these JEs arrayed on opposite sides – one having the
1
qualification of Diploma and the other having the qualification of Degree
in Engineering. The promotion quota (the promotion quota is for AEs -
they are also being directly recruited) has carved out a provision for
accelerated promotion to the extent of 7.33% for the JEs holding a more
advanced qualification, of a Degree in Civil Engineering, with which the
JEs holding a qualification of Diploma are aggrieved.
Facts:
2. On the State of Uttaranchal (now Uttarakhand) being carved out of
the State of Uttar Pradesh, an emergent need was felt for appointing inter
alia JEs in different departments of the State and thus, an advertisement
was issued on 27.11.2001, inviting applications on behalf of the Public
Works Department, Irrigation Department, Rural Engineering Service,
Small Irrigation Department, Agriculture Department, District Village
Development Agency and Panchayati Raj Department for the said
purpose. The minimum qualification provided was for a Diploma in
Civil/Electrical/Mechanical/Agriculture Engineering. We are, at present,
concerned with the Irrigation Department, where 200 posts were
advertised for. These posts were filled in by both, the Diploma-holders
and the Degree-holders.
2
3. In order to govern the service conditions of the Engineers in the
Irrigation Department, the Uttaranchal Service of Engineers (Irrigation
Department) (Group ‘B’) Rules, 2003 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘said
Rules’) were notified on 18.2.2003 by the State Government, exercising
power under Article 309 of the Constitution of India (hereinafter referred
to as ‘the Constitution’). The said Rules provided for recruitment to the
next higher post, inter alia to the post of AE (Civil), through the process
of 50% by promotion from the JEs and the balance 50% through direct
recruitment for which the qualification was, inter alia, a Degree in
Engineering. In this 50% by promotion, there was a further break up
provided, i.e., 40% was to be through the normal route, on the basis of
seniority, subject to rejection of unfit and the remaining 10% of the
promotion quota was given to accelerated promotion. Out of this 10%
accelerated promotions, 2.67% was meant for certain categories, with
which we are not concerned, while 7.33% was meant for JEs (Civil)
holding a Degree in Civil Engineering with three (3) years’ service,
whereas normal promotion required a minimum service of ten (10)
years. An amendment was brought into force on 4.12.2004, which
sought to change the ratio of the appointment to the post of inter alia AE
3
(Civil), thereby reducing the direct recruitment quota to 40% and
increasing the promotion quota to 60%. The result was that the normal
promotion quota was made 50% and the additional 10%, in a sense, was
meant for accelerated promotion, as in any case the educational
qualifications for direct recruitment was a Degree in Civil Engineering
and the accelerated promotion was based on a Degree in Civil
Engineering as well. 50% quota for normal promotion was, thus,
incorporated instead of the earlier 40%.
4. The effect of this was that persons who were holding a Degree in
Engineering were entitled to be considered for promotion as AEs with
only three (3) years’ service, as against the requirement of ten (10) years’
service under normal promotion, but this accelerated promotion was
confined to 7.33%.
5. We have already stated that the effect of reduction in the direct
recruitment quota, from 50% to 40%, effectively meant that the 10%
reduction in quota of direct recruitment, for which a Degree is the
essential qualification, was allotted to accelerated promotion, so as to
ensure that the normal promotion quota without the accelerated
4
promotion is maintained at 50%.
6. The Diploma-holders in the post of JEs felt aggrieved as it would
result in some of their juniors, who had Degrees, being promoted earlier
and, thus, on their ultimate promotion to the post of AE, would rank
senior to them. This was also stated in the context of the fact that for
further promotions from AE upwards, the essential qualification was only
a Diploma, without any quota or accelerated promotion being carved out
for Degree holders. These would be all promotion posts without any
direct recruitment.
7. The aforesaid gave rise to writ proceedings being filed by the
Diploma-holders before the Uttarakhand High Court, and in terms of the
impugned order dated 25.8.2011, this accelerated promotion quota was
struck down as violative of Articles 14 & 16 of the Constitution, and
certain other directions were issued to work out equities on account of the
promotions which may have already been made. There are also some
other connected matters, which we will come to later, because they are in
a narrower compass and we have taken the broad contours of the dispute
5
from the main matter in which the judgment was delivered, i.e., Civil
Appeal No.10194/2013.
8. The impugned order was, however, stayed, while issuing notice on
2.4.2012. Subsequent leave was granted and this interim order was
maintained. The result has been that for these last eight (8) years, also,
the Rules have operated as they are.
9. It is in the aforesaid narrow compass that the present appeal has to
be examined. We have heard learned counsel for the parties and given
our thoughtful consideration to their arguments and the record before us.
Historical Perspectives:
10. We are setting forth certain aspects of the former Rules in this
behalf, in view of the great emphasis laid on the same by the private
respondents (Diploma-holders). In its original avatar existed the United
Provinces Service of Engineers (Buildings and Roads Branch) Class II
Rules (hereinafter referred to as the ‘1936 Rules’), which were published
on 6.6.1936. With the passage of time and different departments coming
6
into existence, specialised Rules were enacted for different departments,
one of them being the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department Civil Engineer
(Subordinate) Service Regulation, 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the
‘said Regulations’), notified on 3.12.1992 by the State Government,
exercising its powers under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution.
The similarity is that the qualification for recruitment as JEs was, once
again, a Diploma in Civil Engineering. The Uttar Pradesh Service of
Engineers (Irrigation Department) (Group ‘B’) Service Rules, 1993
(hereinafter referred to as the ‘1993 Rules’) were notified on 23.4.1993,
and insofar as the posts of AEs were concerned, they were to be filled in
the ratio of 2/3:1/3 by direct recruitment and by promotion, respectively.
The 1/3 promotion quota was again bifurcated into 24% for promotees
with qualification of ten (10) years’ service, while 7.33% was for the
persons possessing Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, who got an
accelerated promotion by being considered after three (3) years of
service. The remaining percentage was meant for various other cadres.
Once again, direct recruitment required qualification of inter alia a
Degree. The scrutiny of this historical aspect significantly shows a
similar situation present in Uttar Pradesh. The emphasis on some
7
litigation qua 1936 Rules, is on account of a judgment of the Allahabad
1
High Court , on a challenge by the degree holders on enhancement of
quota for diploma holders for promotion to the post of AE, opining that
the fixation of separate quota for degree and diploma holders was
unconstitutional.
The Controversy:
11. The impugned judgment is quite elaborate, discussing various
possibilities and combinations and the judicial pronouncements from
time to time. In para 30 of the impugned judgment, post such discussion,
various principles have been culled out. We do not consider it necessary
to extract all of them for the debate before us, as reference has been made
to sub-paras 2, 4, 6, 8, 9 & 10 and the same read as under:
“30. From the above decisions, following emerges:
…. …. …. …. …. ….
2. Status of similarly placed people cannot be altered even on
the ground of educational difference.
…. …. …. …. …. ….
4. People having different educational qualifications may be
integrated into one, but even then, it is permissible to treat them
differently on the basis of their educational qualifications.
1 Arunvendra Kumar Garg & Ors. v. State of U.P. & Anr.; 2002 SCC OnLine ALL
196: (2002) 2 AWC 1489
8
…. …. …. …. …. ….
6. When Degree holders and Diploma holders are both regarded
as fit and, therefore, eligible for promotion, no differentiation
can be made between them by laying down a quota of
promotion for each and giving preferential treatment to Degree
holders over Diploma holders.
…. …. …. …. …. ….
8. If the higher qualification, as that of Degree, is not
contemplated as the required qualification for being appointed
in the feeder post and, on the contrary, it is contemplated that a
lower qualification, as that of Diploma, will do, then two
different periods of experience, for being promoted to the next
higher post, is not permissible.
9. If it is contemplated that people with higher qualification, as
that of Degree, and also people with lower qualification, as that
of Diploma, may be appointed in the feeder post, then there is
nothing wrong in fixing different service experience for Degree
holders and Diploma holders for promotion to the next higher
post.
10. At the same time, when for direct recruitment to a post,
Degree is the essential educational qualification, but at the same
time, such a post can be filled-in also by promotion, it is
permissible to provide a higher ratio for Degree holders to be
promoted to the said post.”
12. On the scrutiny of the parameters set out in para 30 of the
impugned judgment, the opinion of the High Court is based on the fact
that since the required qualification for appointment to the feeder post
was only a Diploma, the Rules governing the feeder post did not make
9
any distinction between a Diploma-holder and a Degree-holder, and the
fact that any of the persons was holding a Degree could not be said to be
of significance. Not only that, there was no bar of a higher qualification
to the next higher post, where both, the Degree-holders and the Diploma-
holders could be promoted. The requirement of a Degree was only for
direct recruitment to the post of AEs. Thus, it was opined that the Rules
could not say that the experience of a Degree-holder shall be lesser than
the experience of a Diploma-holder, for promotion to the next higher post
of AE. Further, it was observed that the Rules could not prescribe a quota
for Degree-holders in the feeder post as there was no intelligible
differentia, nor object sought to be achieved by the aforesaid.
13. The private respondents who are the Diploma-holders have
naturally supported the aforesaid view, which is sought to be assailed by
the appellants/State of Uttarakhand. The inconsistencies in respect of the
principles culled out in para 30 of the impugned judgment have been
sought to be pointed out by learned counsel for the appellants. In this
behalf, it has been submitted that sub-paras 2 and 4 are inconsistent as on
the one hand sub-para 2 states that the status of similarly placed persons
cannot be altered on the grounds of educational difference, yet sub-para 4
10
states that if people having different educational qualifications are
integrated into one, even then it would be permissible to treat them
differently on the basis of educational qualifications. The appellant
specifically sought to assail sub-para 6, which concluded that if Degree-
holders and Diploma-holders are both regarded as fit for promotion, no
differentiation can be made between them by laying down quota for
promotion for each and given preferential treatment to Degree-holders
over Diploma-holders. Sub-para 8 was assailed as it sought to set forth a
proposition that once the higher qualification of a Degree is not
contemplated as a required qualification in the feeder post, then two
different sets of periods of experience cannot be provided as the
qualification to the next higher post.
14. Another aspect of inconsistency which is sought to be pointed out,
is stated to emerge from sub-paras 6 and 9, while assailing sub-para 6.
Sub-para 9 states that if people with both higher and lower qualifications
can be appointed in the feeder posts, then there is nothing wrong in fixing
different service experience for the two, i.e., the Degree-holders and the
Diploma-holders, for promotion to the next higher post.
11
15. Learned counsel for the appellant also drew our attention to sub-
para 10, which provides that, when for direct recruitment to a post, the
essential qualification is a Degree, and at the same time the post can also
be filled by promotion, it is permissible to provide a higher ratio for
Degree-holders, to be promoted to the said post. It is submitted that this
is what has actually been done and thus, conflicting principles have been
culled out from the discussion.
16. On the appreciation of the aforesaid pleas, we do find that there are
inconsistencies in the different principles set forth. On a query posed to
the learned senior counsel for the private respondents, it was conceded on
the basis of various judicial pronouncements, that the appellant would be
well within its right to provide a higher qualification for a promotion
post. Thus, it could be very well said that both, for promotion and for
direct appointment to AEs, Degree could be the essential qualification.
He further could not dispute the proposition that there are judicial
pronouncements to support, providing for a differential in the period of
service for two different sets of educational qualifications at the time of
promotion. Thus, in a sense, the appellant would be within its right to
12
provide for different periods of experience as JEs for Degree-holders and
Diploma-holders, for the purposes of promotion. This is apart from the
plea of the appellants that the accelerated promotion is to encourage the
JEs to acquire higher qualifications, and once they acquire the higher
qualification, whether they possess that qualification at the stage of entry
or not would be immaterial (again a principle settled through judicial
pronouncements). On a specific query being posed, as to what was the
real grievance of the private respondents, learned counsel submitted that
the rub lay in the fact that the implementation of the Rules would result
in persons with Degree occupying the post of JEs, ranking senior to the
persons having Diploma, in the higher post of AEs, despite being junior
to the Diploma holders, on account of their having accelerated
promotion. Thus, the question would be whether such a grievance can
form the basis of the Rule itself being struck down, as violative of
Articles 14 & 16 of the Constitution.
The precedents:
17. The same set of judicial precedents were cited and debated before
us by both the sides.
13
18. The first in the sequence is the judgment of the Constitution Bench
2
in Mohammad Shujat Ali & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. The judicial
review of comparative merits of different educational qualifications was
debated along with the Rules conferring the right of promotion or the
right to be considered for promotion. It is in that context, observations
have been made as to when the Rules can be said to suffer from
infraction under Articles 14 & 16 of the Constitution. The discussion is
in paras 23 to 28.
19. While recognising that equal protection of law is “pledge of the
protection of equal laws”, it was observed, “but laws may classify”.
While referring to the observations of Justice Brawer, “the very idea of
classification is that of inequality”, it was recognised that the Court had
tackled the paradox over the years while neither abandoning the demand
for equality, nor denying the legislature the right to classify. Thus, a
middle course of realistic reconciliation was adopted, i.e., the doctrine of
reasonable classification. As to what could be understood by the
expression ‘similarly situated’ was then debated, recognising the right of
the legislature, so that the test of being similarly situated does not
2 (1975) 3 SCC 76
14
denigrate into a rigid formula, to be blindly and mechanically applied.
The doctrine of classification was not to be carried out to a point where
instead of being a useful servant, it would become a dangerous master as
otherwise, in the words of Y.V. Chandrachud, J. (as he then was) in the
3
State of Jammu and Kashmir v. Triloki Nath Khosa “the guarantee of
equality will be submerged in class legislation masquerading as laws
meant to govern well-marked classes characterised by different and
distinct attainments.” There could not be an overemphasis on the
doctrine of classification to deprive the guarantee of equality of its
spacious content. The application of this principle was thereafter set out
in para 28, where the earlier judgments have been debated. We consider
it appropriate to extract the said para as under:
“28. Now, there are three decisions of this Court where
educational qualifications have been recognised as forming a
valid basis for classification. In State of Mysore v. Narasing
Rao [(1968) 1 SCR 407] this Court held that higher educational
qualifications such as success in S.S.L.C. examination are
relevant considerations for fixation of higher pay scale for
tracers who have passed the S.S.L.C. examination and the
classification of two grades of tracers in Mysore State, one for
matriculate tracers with higher pay scale, and the other for non-
matriculate tracers with lower pay-scale, cannot be said to be
violative of Article 14 or 16. So also in Union of India v. Dr.
(Mrs.) S. B. Kohli, [(1973) 3 SCC 592], a Central Health
3 (1974) 1 SCC 19
15
Service Rule requiring that a Professor in Orthopaedics must
have a post-graduate degree in particular speciality was upheld
on the ground that the classification made on the basis of such a
requirement was not "without reference to the objectives sought
to be achieved and there can be no question of discrimination".
A very similar question arose in State of Jammu & Kashmir v.
Triloki Nath Khosa (supra) where a rule which provided that
only degree holders in the cadre of Assistant Engineers shall be
entitled to be considered for promotion to the next higher cadre
of Executive Engineers and diploma holders shall not be
eligible for such promotion, was challenged as violative of the
equal opportunity clause. This Court repelled the challenge
holding that "though persons appointed directly and by
promotion were integrated into a common class of Assistant
Engineers, they could, for the purposes of promotion to the
cadre of Executive Engineers, be classified on the basis of
educational qualifications" and "the rule providing that
graduates shall be eligible for such promotion to the exclusion
of diploma holders", was not obnoxious to the fundamental
guarantee of equality and equal opportunity. But from these
decisions it cannot be laid down as an invariable rule that
whenever any classification is made on the basis of variant
educational qualifications, such classification must be held to
be valid, irrespective of the nature and purpose of the
classification or the quality and extent of the differences in the
educational qualifications. It must be remembered that "life has
relations not capable always of division into inflexible
compartments". The moulds expand and shrink. The test of
reasonable classification has to be applied in such case on its
peculiar facts and circumstances. It may be perfectly legitimate
for the administration to say that having regard to the nature of
the functions and duties attached to the post, for the purpose of
achieving efficiency in public service, only degree holders in
engineering shall be eligible for promotion and not diploma or
certificate holders. That is what happened in State of Jammu &
Kashmir v. Triloki Nath Khosa (supra) and a somewhat similar
position also obtained in Union of India v. Dr. (Mrs.) S. B.
Kohli. (supra). But where graduates and non-graduates are
16
both regarded as fit and, therefore, eligible for promotion, it
is difficult to see how, consistently with the claim for equal
opportunity, any differentiation can be made between them
by laying down a quota of promotion for each and giving
preferential treatment to graduates over non-graduates in
the matter of fixation of such quota. The result of fixation of
quota of promotion for each of the two categories of
Supervisors would be that when a vacancy arises in the post of
Assistant Engineer, which, according to the quota is reserved
for graduate Supervisors, a non-graduate Supervisor cannot be
promoted to that vacancy, even if he is senior to all other
graduate Supervisors and more suitable than they. His
opportunity for promotion would be limited only to vacancies
available for non-graduate Supervisors. That would clearly
amount to denial of equal opportunity to him. When there is a
vacancy earmarked for graduate Supervisors, a non-graduate,
Supervisor would be entitled to ask:
I am senior to the graduate Supervisor who is intended to be
promoted. I am more suitable than he is. It is no doubt true
that I am a non-graduate, but my not being a graduate has
not been branded as a disqualification. I am regarded fit for
promotion and, like the graduate Supervisor, I am equally
eligible for being promoted. My technical equipment
supplemented by experience is considered adequate for
discharging the functions of Assistant Engineer. Then why
am I being denied the opportunity for promotion and the
graduate Supervisor is preferred?
There can be no satisfactory answer to this question. It must be
remembered that many of these non-graduate Supervisors might
not have been able to obtain degree in engineering because they
came from poorer families and did not have the financial
resources to pursue degree course in engineering and not
because they lacked the necessary capacity and intelligence.
"Chill penury" might have "repressed their noble rage". It is of
the essence of equal opportunity for such persons with humble
and depressing backgrounds that they should have opportunity,
17
through experience or self- study, to level up with their more
fortunate colleagues who, by reason of favourable
circumstances, could obtain the benefits of higher education,
and if they prove themselves fit and more suitable than others,
why should they be denied an opportunity to be promoted in a
vacancy on the ground that vacancy belongs to Supervisors
possessing higher educational qualifications. As pointed out by
Krishna Iyer, J., in the State of Jammu & Kashmir v. Triloki
Nath Khosa (supra) "the soul of Art. 16 is the promotion of the
common man’s capabilities, over-powering environmental
adversities and opening up full opportunities to develop in
official life without succumbing to the sophistic argument of the
elite that talent is the privilege of the few and they must rule".
To permit discrimination based on educational attainments not
obligated by the nature of the duties of the higher post is to
stifle the social thrust of the equality clause. A rule of
promotion which, while conceding that non-graduate
Supervisors are also fit to be promoted as Assistant Engineers,
reserves a higher quota of vacancies for promotion for graduate
Supervisors as against non-graduate Supervisors, would clearly
be calculated to destroy the guarantee of equal opportunity. But
even so, we do not think we can be persuaded to strike down
the Andhra Pradesh Rules in so far as they make differentiation
between graduate and non-graduate Supervisors. This
differentiation is not something brought about for the first time
by the Andhra Pradesh Rules. It has always been there in the
Engineering Services of the Hyderabad and the Andhra States.
The graduate Supervisors have always been treated as a distinct
and separate class from non-graduate Supervisors both under
the Hyderabad Rules as well as the Andhra Rules and they have
never been integrated into one class. Under the Hyderabad
Rules, the pay scale of graduate Supervisors was Rs. 176-300,
while that of non-graduate Supervisors was Rs. 140-300 and
similarly, under the Andhra Rules the pay scale of non-graduate
Supervisors was Rs. 100-250, but graduate Supervisors were
started in this pay scale at the stage of Rs. 150/- so that their
pay-scale was Rs. 150-250. Graduate Supervisors and non-
graduate Supervisors were also treated differently for the
18
purpose of promotion under both sets of Rules. In fact, under
the Andhra Rules a different nomenclature of Junior Engineers
was given to graduate Supervisors. The same differentiation
into two classes also persisted in the re-organised State of
Andhra Pradesh. The pay-scale of Junior Engineers was always
different from that of non-graduate Supervisors and for the
purpose of promotion, the two categories of Supervisors were
kept distinct and apart under the Andhra Rules even after the
appointed day. The common gradation list of Supervisors
finally approved by the Government of India also consisted of
two parts, one part relating to Junior Engineers and the other
part relating to non-graduate Supervisors. The two categories of
Supervisors were thus never fused into one class and no
question of unconstitutional discrimination could arise by
reason of differential treatment being given to them. Contention
E cannot, therefore, prevail and must be rejected.”
20. The private respondents sought to take advantage of the
observations of this para as a whole, and more specifically, to the portion
set out in bold. But yet had to concede that after propounding the social
philosophy, the fact remains that the Constitution Bench found it
difficult, and actually did not give any relief, while quashing the Rule in
question.
21. The private respondents also referred to the judgment of the two
Judge Bench of this Court in Punjab State Electricity Board, Patiala &
4
Anr. v. Ravinder Kumar Sharma & Ors. , which had struck down the
4 AIR 1987 SC 367
19
Rule in respect of quota being carved out between the Degree-holders
and the Diploma-holders of line men. However, this would not be of
much relevance, as this judgment was subsequently overruled in P.
5
Murugesan & Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors.
22. In Roop Chand Adlakha & Ors. v. Delhi Development Authority
6
& Ors. , promotion from different sources, prescribing different
eligibility conditions on the basis of educational qualifications and
service experience as being violative of Articles 14 & 16 of the
Constitution was debated. The inherent distinction between a person
with a Degree and one with merely a Diploma was stated to be much too
obvious. But, whether that difference has a reasonable relation to the
nature of the office to which the promotion is contemplated was stated to
be a different aspect. What was observed was that this may vary from
case to case, and difference in qualification has to have a reasonable
relation to the nature of duties and responsibilities that go with, and are
attendant upon the promotion post. Thus, “to overdo classification is to
undo equality.” The relevant aspect found in that was that different
5 (1993) 2 SCC 340
6 1989 Supp (1) SCC 116
20
standards and conditions for eligibility were prescribed with a view to
inject a higher technical quality in the promotional cadre, based on the
recommendations of the committee. The Rules were, thus, once again
upheld. The aspect which was stated to be of significance by learned
counsel for the private respondents was that in the given facts of the case
before us, there were no material placed to show the connect between the
higher qualification and the greater efficiency in the promotional post.
7
Now returning to the P. Murugesan case, the amended Rules introduced
a ratio of 3:1 between graduate AEs and Diploma-holders JEs for
promotion to the post of Assistant Executive Engineers. These Rules
were held not to be violative of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution,
opining that the Rule making authority was competent to impose a
complete bar, as well as partial restrictions on the category of promotees,
on the basis of educational qualifications.
23. It may also be noticed that the Rule making power, under the
proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution has been emphasised as
legislative in nature and thus, the test to determine the constitutionality of
any provision of such Rule is whether the legislature was competent to
7 supra
21
enact such a provision.
24. On referring to the earlier judgments, including in the State of
8
Jammu and Kashmir v. Triloki Nath Khosa case, it was, once again
emphasized that minute and microscopic classification should not be
permitted, nor should the Court countenance, in the words of Krishna
Iyer, J. “mini-classifications based on micro-distinctions.” It is, however,
also noticed that right from 1974, i.e., since the decision of the
Constitution Bench in State of Jammu and Kashmir v. Triloki Nath
9
Khosa case, this Court had been uniformly holding that even where
direct recruits and promotees are integrated into a common class, they
could for the purpose of promotion to the higher cadre, be classified on
the basis of educational qualification. The conclusion, thus, was that if
the Diploma-holders can be barred altogether from promotion, it was
difficult to appreciate how and why the rule making authority can be
precluded from restricting the promotion. Thus, “the rule-making
authority may be of the opinion, having regard to the efficiency of the
administration and other relevant circumstances that while it is not
8 supra
9 supra
22
necessary to bar the diploma holders from promotion altogether, their
chances of promotion should be restricted. On principle, there is no basis
for the contention that only two options are open to a rule-making
authority-either bar the diploma holders altogether or allow them
unrestricted promotion on par with the graduates.”
25. The last judgment to be cited, to be considered by us, is of the two
10
Judges in M. Rathinaswami & Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. In
a case of an integrated list of seniority between direct recruits and
promotees, preferential treatment, thereafter, based on educational
qualifications was held as valid for considering promotion. However,
among equally qualified candidates, there could be no further
classification. The similarity of factual matrix is reflected, as the Junior
Assistants holding the post were both graduates and post-graduates,
though the minimum educational qualification was SSLC. From the post
of Junior Assistants, the promotion was to the post of Assistants, and
there could also be direct recruitment through competitive examinations.
The minimum qualification for direct recruitment of Assistants was
graduation. The promotion of Assistants to the post of Deputy Tahsildar
10 (2009) 5 SCC 625
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was in question. The directly recruited Assistants were given preferential
treatment by making them eligible for promotion as Deputy Tahsildar on
completion of five (5) years as Assistants, while placing them above the
senior, graduate promotee Assistants. In that context, it was observed
that once the directly recruited Assistants have been integrated into one
cadre, there could not be a further classification between those who had
acquired the graduation qualification, whether before joining as Junior
Assistants or thereafter. It was also left to the State to decide whether
their qualification has a reasonable relation to the nature of duties and
responsibilities of the promotional post. Similarly, regarding the question
whether the difference in educational qualification is sufficient to give
preferential treatment to one class of candidates against another, it was
opined to be ordinarily left to the executive authorities to decide, as they
have expertise in administrative matters and, ordinarily, it would not be
proper for the court to sit in appeal over their decisions, unless it is
something totally arbitrary or shocking.
Conclusion:
26. The spectrum of judicial opinions referred to aforesaid leaves us
with little doubt that though equality is the very bulwark of the provisions
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of the Constitution, in service jurisprudence, classifications are a matter
of necessity and judicial pronouncements have sought to balance the
equality principle with the principle of classification, dependant on the
nexus for making the classification. Higher educational qualifications
have been repeatedly emphasized as an aspect which can give exclusive
promotion, earlier promotion or for that matter, as in this case, an
accelerated promotion. A higher degree of qualification intrinsically
would bring in certain skills, though undoubtedly, that should be useful
and have a nexus with the job being performed. As to who should
examine this nexus, that has been left to the wisdom of the administrative
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authorities, who are best equipped to do so .
27. It has also been opined that even where persons having two
different qualifications are given the opportunity of promotion, there
cannot be an absolute equality for the reason that the administration may
consider giving the lesser qualified an opportunity of promotion on
different terms, rather than completely prohibiting them from promotion.
28. We are conscious of the fact that in further posts, higher than AE,
11 M. Rathinaswami & Ors. v. State of Tamil Nadu & Ors. (supra)
25
there is no distinction between persons having different qualifications.
There are no direct appointments. The posts are filled in only through
promotions. The question is what is really being done? In our view, all
that has been done is that, at a particular promotion stage, in the wisdom
of the administration, recognising higher skills developed through higher
qualifications, and as an incentive to others to acquire these higher
qualifications, an accelerated promotion on a small percentage of posts
had been granted.
29. We did put to the learned counsel for the private respondents if
they could have been shut out from promotion, or if the time periods
could have been different for promotion, then the result would have been
the same as their grievance today, i.e., some of the Degree-holders would
rank higher than the Diploma-holders. Thus, this is not something out of
the ordinary which has happened, or would result in a situation which can
be categorised extraordinary by reason of accelerated promotion to the
Degree-holder.
30. We have noticed another important aspect, i.e., that the direct
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recruitment to the post of AE required a candidate to be a Degree-holder.
50% of the posts were reserved for Degree-holding direct recruits. In the
50% promotion quota, a 10% promotion quota was carved out, leaving
only 40% for promotion through the normal route. Possibly with the
intention of obviating any grievance which the promotees may have, the
normal promotion route was sought to be maintained at 50%, without any
accelerated promotion in that portion, by bringing in 10% from the direct
recruitment quota to the promotion quota, and that being utilised for
accelerated promotion, for promotees with a Degree. Had this quota not
been there at all, whether earlier or later, but the direct recruitment in
promotion quota had been maintained in equal ratio, the Diploma-holders
could, in any case, have had no grievance. The bringing forth from the
direct recruitment quota (for which the qualification is the Degree) to the
promotion quota and giving that through accelerated promotion for such
persons who have a degree can, thus, hardly be said to have any intrinsic
defects which could violate Articles 14 & 16 of the Constitution.
31. The historical perspective also cited before us hardly supports the
private respondents as even the State of Uttar Pradesh, as it existed
earlier, and the Rules as they existed then, provided for such 7.33%
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quota, which was never assailed by any party.
32. We may also add before ending, that there exist inconsistencies,
which we have pointed earlier in para 16, in the principles laid down in
the impugned judgment in para 30.
33. We are, thus, unequivocally of the view that the impugned
judgment cannot be sustained and the challenge to the Rule is misplaced.
The consequence would be the dismissal of the writ petition by the
Diploma-holders and the appeal of the Government being allowed.
Parties are left to bear their own costs.
Civil Appeal No.1317/2015
34. The appeal is dismissed in view of the order passed in CA
No.10194/2013 as the appellant sought a greater relief than even that
which was granted in the impugned order.
Civil Appeal No.11307/2013
35. The appeal concerns the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department
Assistant Engineers (Civil) Services Rules, 2003. The relevant portion of
the Rules, providing for accelerated promotion/sub quota for Degree-
28
holders was struck down, relying upon the judgment of the High Court in
WP No.267/2010 (S/B), which order has been set aside by us in CA
No.10194/2013.
36. The result of the aforesaid is that this appeal is allowed and the
impugned order set aside, upholding the relevant Rule.
IA No.88765/2018 in CA No.10194/2013
IA No.7/2016 in CA No.11307/2013
37. In view of the disposal of the appeals, no further orders are called
for on these applications and the same stand disposed of.
...……………………………J.
[Sanjay Kishan Kaul]
...……………………………J.
[M.R. Shah]
New Delhi.
October 14, 2019.
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