मैसूर राज्य बनाम एस.वी. नारायणप्पा
| Citation | AIR 1967 SC 1071 |
| Court | Supreme Court of India |
| Date | 24 January 1967 |
| Year | 1967 |
| Bench | K. Subba Rao CJI, J.C. Shah, R.S. Bachawat JJ. |
| Acts/Articles | Article 14, Article 16 |
| Category | Constitutional Law, Service & Employment Law |
Key Principle Established
Seniority of government servants must be determined as per the rules prevailing at the time of appointment. Seniority cannot be altered retrospectively to the prejudice of employees.
Government servants challenged alteration of their seniority position which was changed retrospectively by the State, prejudicing their promotion prospects.
The Supreme Court held that seniority must be determined according to the rules in force at the time of appointment. The State cannot retrospectively alter seniority to the detriment of employees who have been working under legitimate expectations created by the existing rules.
This judgment is the foundational authority on protection of seniority rights and the prohibition against retrospective alteration of service conditions to the prejudice of employees.
(1982) 1 SCC 618
Equal pay for equal work is a constitutional goal derivable from Articles 14, 16, and 39(d) read together.
Read Analysis(1996) 11 SCC 77
Contractual employee retained beyond tenure cannot be terminated without following principles of natural justice.
Read Analysis(2002) 1 SCC 187
Settled seniority cannot be disturbed retrospectively. Reopening seniority after long gap causes grave prejudice.
Read AnalysisThis judgment summary is for educational and research purposes. While care has been taken to accurately represent the ratio and findings, for authoritative reference always consult the original judgment text from official sources (SCC Online, AIR, Manupatra, or court websites).
22+ years of practice before Punjab & Haryana High Court and Supreme Court of India.